Judy Baar Topinka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Judy Baar Topinka
7th Comptroller of Illinois
In office January 10, 2011 – December 10, 2014
Governor	Pat Quinn
Preceded by	Daniel Hynes
Succeeded by	Jerry Stermer
71st Treasurer of Illinois
In office January 9, 1995 – January 8, 2007
Governor	Jim Edgar George Ryan Rod Blagojevich
Preceded by	Pat Quinn
Succeeded by	Alexi Giannoulias
Chair of the Illinois Republican Party
In office 2002–2005
Preceded by	Gary MacDougal
Succeeded by	Andrew McKenna
Personal details
Born	Judy Baar (1944-01-16)January 16, 1944 Riverside, Illinois, US
Died	December 10, 2014(2014-12-10) (aged 70) Berwyn, Illinois, US
Political party	Republican
Education	Northwestern University (BA)
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Judy Baar Topinka (January 16, 1944 – December 10, 2014) was an important American politician from Illinois. She was a member of the Republican Party.

Before becoming a politician, Judy Topinka worked as a journalist. She served in the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. Later, she became the Illinois State Treasurer for three terms. She was the first woman to hold this job and the first Republican in over 32 years. She also led the Illinois Republican Party. In 2010, she was elected Illinois Comptroller. She passed away in 2014, shortly after being re-elected.

Judy Topinka's Early Life and Education

Judy Topinka was born in Riverside, a suburb of Chicago, on January 16, 1944. Her parents, Lillian Mary and William D. Baar, had families from Czech and Slovak backgrounds.

After finishing high school in 1962, Judy went to Northwestern University. She studied journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She was also part of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

Judy Topinka's Career in Journalism

After college, Judy Topinka started her career as a reporter. She wrote for several newspapers in the Chicago suburbs. Eventually, she became an editor.

She also started her own business. This business focused on public relations, which means helping people or organizations share their message. Through this, she began advising different political candidates.

Judy Topinka's Political Journey

Starting in the Illinois Legislature

In 1980, Judy Topinka decided to run for office herself. She won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. She served two terms there, representing different areas.

In 1984, she moved to the upper house of the state legislature. She won a seat in the Illinois Senate. She represented the 22nd district for ten years.

Serving as Illinois State Treasurer

Judy Topinka greets President George W. Bush in April 2005.

While she was still a state senator, Judy Topinka ran for Illinois State Treasurer in 1994. She won this election. She was re-elected two more times, serving from 1995 to 2007.

As State Treasurer, her job involved managing the state's money. She was the first woman to be elected to this important statewide position. She was also the first person to serve three terms in a row as Treasurer.

Running for Governor of Illinois

In 2005, Judy Topinka announced she would not run for Treasurer again. Instead, she decided to run for Governor of Illinois. She hoped to challenge the current governor, Rod Blagojevich.

In March 2006, she won the Republican nomination for governor. This made her the first Republican woman ever nominated for governor in Illinois. She ran with Joe Birkett as her running mate for Lieutenant Governor.

On November 7, 2006, she lost the election to Governor Blagojevich.

Becoming Illinois Comptroller

Judy Topinka at a parade.

In 2010, Judy Topinka decided to run for another statewide office: Illinois Comptroller. This job involves making sure the state's money is spent correctly.

She won the Republican primary election with 59% of the votes. Then, she won the general election against her opponents. She was re-elected to this position in November 2014.

Election Results Over the Years

Here are some of the election results for Judy Topinka:

• 2014 election for Illinois State Comptroller
  • Judy Baar Topinka (Republican) (incumbent), 50%
  • Sheila Simon (Democrat), 46%
• 2010 election for Illinois State Comptroller
  • Judy Baar Topinka (Republican), 53%
  • David Miller (Democrat), 41%
• 2006 election for Governor of Illinois
  • Rod Blagojevich (Democrat) (incumbent), 50%
  • Judy Baar Topinka (Republican), 39%
• 2002 election for Illinois State Treasurer
  • Judy Baar Topinka (Republican) (incumbent), 55%
  • Tom Dart (Democrat), 43%
• 1998 election for Illinois State Treasurer
  • Judy Baar Topinka (Republican) (incumbent), 50%
  • Dan McLaughlin (Democrat), 48%
• 1994 election for Illinois State Treasurer
  • Judy Baar Topinka (Republican), 51%
  • Nancy Shaheen (Democrat), 49%

Judy Topinka's Personal Life and Passing

In 1965, Judy married Joe Topinka. They had a son named Joseph. They later divorced in 1981.

Judy Topinka was a talented person. She could play four different musical instruments. She also spoke four languages fluently: English, Czech, Spanish, and Polish. She was a member of the Illinois St. Andrew Society.

On December 9, 2014, Judy Topinka went to the hospital because she felt unwell. She seemed to be getting better, but sadly, she passed away early on December 10 from a stroke.

Many people shared their sadness about her passing. President Barack Obama said she was "an institution in Illinois politics." Illinois Governor Pat Quinn called her "a trailblazer," meaning she was a pioneer who opened new paths for others. Jerry Stermer took over her role as Comptroller.

See also

• Political party strength in Illinois