Judy Baar Topinka died on Wednesday after complications from a stroke. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Judy Baar Topinka)
By Dave Dahl/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – “People really liked Judy,” Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon said this morning in eulogizing Judy Baar Topinka.
Topinka defeated Simon in the election for comptroller last month. Topinka died this morning.
“She was herself. She was genuine,” continues Simon, “whether it was talking about pet adoption or the clothes that she bought at yard sales. She was herself and not a slick, packaged product of media consultants.”
“This day and age in politics, everybody's afraid to tell it like it is,” lamented Springfield Ald. Cory Jobe, deputy chief of staff in the comptroller's office. Jobe, saying Topinka was the exception, counts her as a political mentor. They met during his unsuccessful statehouse race in the mid 1990's.
A political consultant and former newsman points out Topinka's penchant for thrift.
“My wife was walking the dog several months ago,” Thom Serafin said, “and there was Judy Baar Topinka, coming out of an estate sale.”
Bloomington-Normal legislators react
State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) said Topinka had an unforgettable personality. He added the way she approached public service is one of many ways she'll be remembered.
"For all of the criticism that public officials get, most people who knew of or met Judy Baar Topinka really liked her," said Barickman. "They found her to be a person of great character. They found her to be extremely blunt. She spoke her mind without a filter."
State Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) said Topinka worked hard with legislators when a business in their district was owed money from the state.
"For instance, nursing home payments, or payments to hospitals, pharmacies," said Brady. "She had programs that tried to help those who were providers to the state, but yet waiting to get paid themselves."
Brady explained Topinka might not have always agreed with you on something, but she was always at the table trying to work out a solution.
Adam Studzinski contributed to this report. He can be reached at [email protected].
