COUNTRYSIDE, Ill. (AP) — Late Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka has been remembered as a tough, honest leader with a signature sense of humor.

Crowds filled a union hall in suburban Chicago on Wednesday to pay respects. Individuals included the state’s top leaders, lawmakers, local leaders and Illinoisans who knew her for more than 70 years.

Gov. Pat Quinn says Topinka took on tough challenges in life. She was also a former state treasurer, GOP head and lawmaker.

Portraits of Topinka lined an entrance, along with photos of past campaigns, her family and dogs.

Former Gov. Jim Thompson says Topinka would have appreciated the bipartisan crowd gathered at the memorial.

Topinka died last week after suffering complications from a stroke. She had won a second full term in November. A replacement hasn’t yet been named.

 

 

 

 

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