Milwaukee settles police misconduct cases involving former state senator’s son, and Chicago family
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City of Milwaukee has agreed to pay $600,000 to settle two police misconduct cases, including one involving the son of a former state senator and another involving a Chicago family.
The city of Milwaukee is set to pay $600,000 to settle two longstanding police misconduct cases involving civil rights violations against detainees.
One case involves Isaiah Taylor, the son of former state Sen. Lena Taylor and current Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge, Isaiah, who was 16 year old when he was detained by police. Indecent occurred outside their home on Capitol Drive during an investigation into robberies he was not involved in. The interaction was recorded on a body camera.
“It’s an unwanted, unnecessary rite of passage that many boys his age go through,” Lena Taylor said 10 years ago regarding her son’s experience.
The officers questioned Taylor about his actions, with one officer stating, “The reason why we stopped you is because you were running,” and another adding, “You looked at us and took off faster, man.” Taylor responded, “I wasn’t running faster.”
A city committee voted to pay Taylor $350,000 to settle his lawsuit. “For the reasons discussed in closed session, recommend adoption of the substitute resolution,” the committee stated.
Civil rights attorney Jonathan Groth, who is not involved in the case, said, “Everybody’s human. You may mess up. But, if you mess up to the extent it sounds like these police officers may have messed up, well, then the city is obligated to pay the cost.”
Groth added, “Enough of these lawsuits will hopefully change their minds and change their processes, change their procedures so it doesn’t happen next time.”
The second settlement involves a Chicago family who will be paid $250,000 after being handcuffed and held in squad cars at the scene of a homicide in 2021, despite being witnesses. One of the three children involved was just 12 years old.
These settlements are on the agenda for approval from the full Milwaukee Common Council on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
