Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka has died, less than 24 hours after having a stroke.State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka died early Wednesday after suffering a stroke. Bill Wheelhouse has this update from Springfield:
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 social moderate. She built support among minorities and in the gay community.
She talked about an effort to do the same for the Republican party back in 2003.
"Part of it is me. I just don't hate anybody. I'm not a hater. I have a really big tent. I want everybody in here. We're not letting anybody off the hook. We're going in here like Star Trek, (where) no people have ever gone before, man. We're not letting anyone get past us."
Topinka was a former state treasurer and Illinois GOP chair.
While Topinka was known for her often comedic lines on the speaking circuit, she could also be a hard-nosed politician. In 2006, she took aim at then-Governor Rod Blagojevich, mounting an unsuccessful challenge.
"We are at the bottom of the bucket on just about everything in this state, courtesy of a lackluster Governor who doesn't give a rat's behind that he's the Governor. So govern!"
Governor Pat Quinn called Topinka a trailblazer, and a "force of nature," saying the entire state mourns "one of the greats."
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon says Topinka will be remembered for her years of dedication to public service, as well as her "larger than life" personality.
Governor-elect Bruce Rauner calls Topinka "a tremendous friend," and says she had a servant's heart that will be missed.
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