Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik clears first hurdle to reappointment

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The City of Milwaukee Public Safety and Health Committee approved the reappointment of the health commissioner. Now, it will go to a full common council vote. 

For the last few months, Jeanette Kowalik has been tasked with giving regular updates on COVID-19. She was also influential in getting the city's mask mandate passed. 

Kowalik was unanimously approved for the appointment of the health commissioner back in September of 2018. When she first started her position one of her big responsibilities was overseeing the lead abatement program.

Kowalik said the position has not been easy.

"It definitely has not been a cake walk. It has been extremely challenging and demanding and has required many sacrifices from me personally, my health, my family and then going through everything with COVID right now and seeing what is happening with other Heath officials across the country. It’s definitely not a good time to be a health officer,” Kowalik said.

The next step is for the full Milwaukee Common Council to vote on Kowalik's reappointment.