Illinois governors have filled 16 vacancies since 1848
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois governors have filled 16 vacancies in statewide offices since 1848. None is as unusual as the one left this week by the death of Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.
Topinka was elected to a second term last month. It's unclear how long a successor serves in such a case.
Associated Press research shows the closest example is from 1894. Sitting Treasurer Rufus Ramsey didn't seek re-election but died less than a week after balloting. His son was appointed for two months.
An infamous vacancy was left in 1956 when auditor Orville Hodge resigned and pleaded guilty to embezzling $1.5 million in state funds.
Most recently Secretary of State Alan Dixon resigned to go to the U.S. Senate in 1981. Republican Jim Edgar served until 1991 when he became governor.