A public Memorial Service honoring longtime state leader Judy Baar Topinka will be held at 9:30AM on Wed., Dec. 17, at the Local 150, 6200 Joliet Rd., Countryside, according to news received from the State Comptroller’s office.
Fellow state leaders, colleagues and family will share stories and celebrate the life of Comptroller Topinka, who was the first woman in Illinois history to be elected to two Constitutional Offices and the first state Treasurer to be elected to three consecutive terms. Between her time in the General Assembly and in statewide office, Topinka served Illinois for more than three decades.
Topinka died unexpectedly at 2AM Wed., Dec. 10, at age 70, less than 24 hours after having a stroke, according to spokesman Brad Hahn. After undergoing testing and observation and seeming to improve, she lost consciousness early Wednesday, according to numerous reports.
She recently had been re-elected to serve a second term as Comptroller for the state of Illinois. Her service would have been her fifth term in statewide office, a career that included three terms as treasurer from 1995 to 2007.
In a statement yesterday, Illinois Governor-Elect Bruce Rauner wrote, “Early this morning, Illinois lost one of its all-time greats. Comptroller Topinka’s magnetic, one-of-a-kind personality brought a smile to everyone she met, and she had a servant’s heart, always only caring about what was best for the people of our state. Judy was a tremendous friend, and Diana and I will miss her deeply. We offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to her family, including son Joseph, as well as her talented and loyal team in the Comptroller’s office.”
Schedule for Wed., Dec. 17, 2014 / Topinka Memorial Service
The Memorial Service will begin at 9:30AM at Local 150, 6200 Joliet Rd., Countryside.
Speakers will include:
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Capitol Fax Publisher Rich Miller
Illinois Governor James R. Thompson TV & Radio Personality Roe Conn
Illinois Governor Elect Bruce Rauner Topinka Chief of Staff Nancy Kimme
Illinois Auditor General William Holland Joseph Baar Topinka
