Opponent of privatization appointed to Rolling Meadows council

Laura Majikes put down roots in Rolling Meadows after a childhood of transfers when her father worked for Sears. And this week she fulfilled a desire to be even a bigger part of her adopted hometown with an oath to represent the city's 3rd ward.

“I went to seven schools when I was a kid, and I wanted a place to settle,” she said Tuesday after being appointed to a seat on the city council. “My husband was born here, and I fell in love with Meadows. We bought one home and we stayed in it. I sell real estate, and I sell a lot of homes in Meadows.”

Majikes takes the seat previously held by the late Larry Buske, who served on the council for nearly 10 years before his death in December following a lengthy battle with cancer. His widow, Brenda Buske, attended Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony.

Mayor Tom Rooney said he selected Majikes from seven applicants because she showed the most knowledge about the workings of the council and the best potential for getting into the stream of work quickly.

She was an outspoken opponent of a proposal last fall to privatize the city's garbage pickup service. Residents agreed, voting in November to keep trash collection as a city function.

City officials, including City Attorney Jim Macholl, said it is not a conflict of interest that J.M.L. Overhead Doors, Inc., owned by Majikes' husband, John, has done business with the city for years. However, Rooney said Majikes plans to recuse herself from any votes involving the company.