COMPTROLLER JUDY BAAR TOPINKA WILL BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF ILLINOIS’ MOST COLORFUL AND BELOVED STATE LEADERS.

TOPINKA WAS OUTSPOKEN, STRAIGHT TO THE POINT AND HILARIOUS…ALWAYS WITH A WITTY ONE LINER ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM THE STATE’S FINANCES TO HER LOVE OF THRIFT SHOPPING. THE REPUBLICAN WASN’T AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT ON TOUGH ISSUES, INCLUDING THE GAY MARRIAGE LAW SIGNED LAST YEAR.

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WHETHER IT BE TACKLING STATE FINANCES, GAY MARRIAGE, PET ADOPTION, OR CONSOLIDATING HER OFFICE, TOPINKA DID IT WITH HUMOR AND DIDN’T PULL ANY PUNCHES. UPON RETURNING TO STATE OFFICE AFTER RUNNING AGAINST ROD BLAGOJEVICH FOR GOVERNOR…SHE JOKED ABOUT A TAG LINE FROM THE CAMPAIGN.

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TOPINKA WORKED AS A JOURNALIST, STATE LAWMAKER, STATE TREASURER AND COMPTROLLER AND HEAD OF THE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY. SHE WAS 70 YEARS OLD.