The incoming Illinois governor's attorneys have met with staffers for Gov. Pat Quinn and argued Quinn may make only a short-term appointment to fill the comptroller's office left vacant by the sudden death of Judy Baar Topinka.

Reports indicate Republican Bruce Rauner's (ROW'-nurz) attorneys told Quinn's staff this week that they believe Quinn can appoint a replacement for Topinka only until Jan. 12. That's the day the GOP comptroller's next term would have started. Rauner believes he then gets to pick a replacement for the next four years.

The Illinois Constitution is not clear, saying in the case of a vacancy, the governor shall name a replacement to serve until a successor is elected. But there's not another election until 2018.