Images: Judy Baar Topinka through the years
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka address the crowd during a rally for Republican midterm election candidates that featured first lady Laura Bush in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial hopeful Judy Baar Topinka is optimistic with her supporters at her campaign party Tuesday, March 21, 2006, as they wait for final results in the state's primary election. Topinka, the state treasurer, is competing with four other candidates in her run for the state's top job.With 66 percent of precincts reporting, Topinka had 217,289 votes, or 37 percent, and Oberweis had 185,380, or 32 percent.
Associated Press
Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka speaks to the Daily Herald editorial board during her endorsement interview this fall.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Then-Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka announces a new state plan to help low-to-moderate income families with homeownership in 2002. Topinka is flanked by Elgin City Councilwoman Ruth Munson and State Rep. Steve Rauschenberger.
Daily Herald file photo
State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka greets the crowds during the 2005 VFW Fourth of July parade in Villa Park.
Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
Judy Baar Topinka introduces speaker of the House Dennis Hastert during at reception for Illinois Delegates at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
A big coffee drinker, gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka talks about the upcoming election during a 2006 meeting with Daily Herald editors.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, left, and his GOP opponent, Judy Baar Topinka, prepare for a debate taping in a Chicago studio in this May 26, 2006, file photo. Blagojevich has endured a steady stream of negative headlines as he runs for a second term, but a $1,500 gift to his daughter is getting some voters talking as Election Day approaches. The money was from a lifelong Blagojevich friend, and it arrived soon after the friend's wife got a state job despite receiving a failing grade on her application.
Associated Press
Judy Baar Topinka accompanied Laura Bush during the first lady's visit to Schaumburg in 2006.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Governor candidate Judy Baar Topinka, left, speaks with Lombard resident Mary Jo Arndt, a Republican national committeewoman for Illinois, during the 2006 DuPage Republican Day in Addison.
Daily Herald file photo
Judy Baar Topinka and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani appear at a first response meeting in 2006 at Benedictine University in Lisle.
Daily Herald file photo
Judy Baar Topinka and running mate Joe Birkett concede the 2006 election to Rod Blagojevich.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka tours the Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake with Executive Director Steve Duchrow and board President Bill Dwyer.
Daily Herald photo, 2002
Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka speaks at the Biz6 Plus Multi-Chamber Collaboration Business Luncheon in 2013.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka addresses supporters while attending a "Republican Day" rally at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Ill., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006.
Associated Press
In this March 6, 2013 file photo, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka gestures on the House floor at the state Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Topinka, who won a second term in November 2014, died early Wednesday morning, Dec. 10, 2014, less than 24 hours after having a stroke, according to her office. She was 70. Topinka previously served three terms as Illinois state treasurer, was a former Illinois GOP chairwoman and ran for governor in 2006.
Associated Press
Judy Baar Topinka takes the oath of office for Illinois comptroller from her son, Special Officer Joseph Baar Topinka, during inaugural ceremonies Jan. 10, 2011, in Springfield.
Associated Press
Judy Baar Topinka gets ready to debate Andy Martin, Ron Gidwitz, Jim Oberweis and Bill Brady during the 2006 GOP primary season.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Judy Baar Topinka jokes about her hair color at the Illinois Republican Unity Breakfast in 2006 in Chicago.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Buffalo Grove Fire Battalion Chief Wendy Durkin receives a plaque from state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.
Submitted photo
Governor candidates Judy Baar Topinka and Ron Gidwitz participate in a radio debate held at WBEZ Radio at Navy Pier in 2006.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, left, and her running mate, Joe Birkett, right, and Republican candidate for Secretary of State Dan Rutherford, center, kick off their campaign bus tour in Springfield, Ill., Friday, Aug. 18, 2006. Republicans running for statewide office embark on a 34-city bus tour of the state that wraps up Thursday in the Chicago suburb of DuPage County. Topinka is walking her two dogs, Peggy Sue, left, and Molly McDoo, before departing.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka speaks to reporters while kicking off her campaign bus tour in Springfield, Ill., Friday, Aug. 18, 2006. Republicans running for statewide office embark on a 34-city bus tour of the state that wraps up Thursday in the Chicago suburb of DuPage County.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, left, is greeted by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich just before he delivered his State of State address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly in the House of Representatives at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. Blagojevich isn't going for a knockout with the new ads he's running against Republican opponent Judy Baar Topinka. Instead, they amount to a series of jabs designed to leave her bruised and bloodied in the mind of voters.
Associated Press
Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, right, hugs a supporter before taking part in Chicago's annual St. Patrick's Day parade Saturday, March 11, 2006. Topinka is currently considered by many the front-runner in the GOP race for governor with the primary set for March 21.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial hopeful state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka shares a laugh with election judge JoAnn Kosey, left, before voting in the Tuesday, March 21, 2006, primary election in Riverside, Ill. Topinka faces four other candidates in her race for governor.
Associated Press
President Bush, right, is introduced by Republican candidate for Illinois Governor Judy Baar Topinka, left, at a campaign fundraiser at the Drake Hotel, Friday, July 7, 2006, in Chicago.
Associated Press
President Bush, right, and Republican candidate for Illinois Governor Judy Baar Topinka, left, wave to the crowd at a campaign fundraiser at the Drake Hotel, Friday, July 7, 2006 in Chicago.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka and her running mate Joe Birkett talk with employees at Lapham-Hickey Steel on July 12, 2006, in Chicago during a campaign stop in her run to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the Nov. 7 election.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka and former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar get together while attending a "Republican Day" rally at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka discusses her budget strategy during a news conference on the lawn of an Elmhurst, Ill., home on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006. Topinka proposed building a casino in Chicago and adding additional gaming spots at the state's nine riverboat casinos as part of her budget proposal.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka talks to a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago on Sept. 14, 2006, where she outlined her plan for higher education during a campaign stop in her run to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Associated Press
Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, right, waves to the crowd as she marches in the Columbus Day Parade with, from left, Governor, and Democratic candidate Rod Blagojevich; Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, and grand marshall Pasquale Caputo, Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, in Chicago.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, left, shakes hands with Marie Novak as she visits seniors during her campaign at the Smith Crossing Senior Living Community in Orland Park, Ill, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006. Topinka faces Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in her election bid in the Nov. 7 election.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka speaks to seniors during her campaign at the Smith Crossing Senior Living Community in Orland Park, Ill, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006. Topinka faces Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in her election bid in the Nov. 7 election.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, left, gives chocolates to seniors for happy Halloween day during her campaign at the Smith Crossing Senior Living Community in Orland Park, Ill, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006. Topinka faces Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in her election bid in the Nov. 7 election.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka jokes with a television news crew after a press conference Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, in Chicago. Topinka faces Gov. Rod Blagojevich in his re-election bid in the Nov. 7 election.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, right, breaks out in laughter during a campaign rally with first lady Laura Bush and GOP congressional candidates in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka rubs supporter Jim Miranda's head for luck as she campaigns at Mother's Day restaurant Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 in North Riverside, Ill. Topinka faces Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the Nov. 7 election.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka shakes hands while campaigning of Mother's Day restaurant Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 in North Riverside, Ill. Topinka faces Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the Nov. 7 election.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka greets commuters at a train station in downtown Chicago, Monday morning, Nov. 6, 2006, on the last day of campaigning before the midterm elections. Topinka faces incumbent Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojeivch.
Associated Press
Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, center, acknowledges defeat in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006. Her running mate Joe Birkett, right, and son Joe look on.
Associated Press
In this Aug. 20, 2009, file photo former Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka acknowledges applause during a Republican Day rally at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Ill. It's been almost three years since former Illinois treasurer Judy Baar Topinka held public office _ a tenure that ended when she lost a bid to unseat now-ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Now Topinka is back _ and this time she's running for state comptroller.
Associated Press
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, right, is greeted by Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, center, and Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford, left, before Quinn delivered his State of the Budget address to a joint session of the Illinois General Assembly on the House floor at the Illinois State Capitol, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011.
Associated Press
Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, who calls U.S. President Barack Obama "baggage" that Democratic candidates will have to carry, participates in a rally during Republican Day Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. Republican leaders accused Democrats of mismanaging the Illinois budget. They criticized the recent income tax increase and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal to borrow money to pay overdue bills that are piling up.
Associated Press
State of Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, left, and Illinois House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, right, confer at the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, in Springfield Ill. Illinois GOP legislative leaders, former Gov. Jim Edgar and Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights express support for temporary driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
Associated Press
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