Rolling Meadows alderman steps down
Rolling Meadows Alderman Tim Veenbaas is stepping down from the city council because he and his family are moving out of state.
Veenbaas, who was appointed to the Ward 7 post in 2014 and elected to the seat in 2015, also served as acting mayor for six months in 2016-17, after Tom Rooney resigned to serve in the state Senate. Veenbaas did not run for the mayor's office in last year's election, won by Len Prejna.
At the end of Tuesday's city council meeting, Veenbaas formally announced his resignation.
"It has been an honor and my privilege to serve my ward and the city of Rolling Meadows," he said. "All the time and effort I put into this - as interim mayor, as alderman - and all the people I've come across, I got a lot more out of it than I put into it."
Prejna presented Veenbaas with two gifts for his new home: a "Veenbaas Way" street sign and "Reserved Parking Mayor Tim Veenbaas" sign.
Veenbaas and his family spent 21 years in Rolling Meadows. He worked as maintenance agent for the Creekside at Plum Grove Homeowners Association for much of that time, and division manager at Sipi, a Chicago metal company.
Prejna will be responsible for appointing a replacement - with the approval of council members - to serve through the end of Veenbaas' term. The post will be one of six council seats up for election in April 2019, along with the mayor's office and aldermanic seats in Wards 1, 2, 3 and 5.