Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka Passes Away

[ColesCountyDem]

By WSIL Reporter
Story Created: Dec 10, 2014 at 3:14 AM CST
Story Updated: Dec 10, 2014 at 3:29 AM CST
WSIL -- Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka has died, less than 24 hours after having a stroke.

A statement from her office says the 70-year-old Topinka died early Wednesday morning following complications from the stroke.

She'd reported discomfort and was admitted to a hospital in Berwyn. After undergoing testing, she lost consciousness Wednesday and was pronounced dead shortly after 2 a.m.

Topinka, a Republican, won a second term last month in a tough race with Democratic challenger Sheila Simon, the former lieutenant governor.

Topinka was a former state treasurer and Illinois GOP chairwoman.

[frazzled]

1. Jeeeez

Even though I voted for Sheila Simon, I am very sad to hear this. What a shocker; that is so young and so very unexpected.

Condolences to her family, friends, and supporters. I'm really stunned.

She was a rare bird with an enormous personality, and a fixture in Illinois politics for decades.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. I had the pleasure of meeting her several times.

she was always nice, smart, smart assed, and frankly more liberal than some of our democrats.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. That's a shock.

Guess there will be a special election now to fill the vacancy. I hope that Sheila Simon runs again. Rauner won't be happy with the cost, though.

[ColesCountyDem]

3. She was a remarkable lady.

She was the very last "I'd rather the Democrat had won, but I can live with her" Republican to hold statewide office.

R.I.P., Madame Comptroller.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. Quite a character, that one. There should be lots of stories retold the next few days.

Not without some controversy here and there but I liked her and I voted for her a number of times.