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Comptroller appointed after death of Judy Baar Topinka

An Illinois state employee has been appointed to step-in as comptroller after the sudden death of Judy Baar Topinka.

An Illinois state employee has been appointed to step-in as comptroller after the sudden death of Judy Baar Topinka.

State Budget Director Jerry Stermer was appointed into the position Friday, December 19, 2014.

Topinka was 70 years old when she died Wednesday, December 10, one day after she suffered a stroke. She had held the position of state comptroller since 2011 and was the first woman to be elected as Illinois State Treasurer. She held that seat from 1994 to 2007.

Stermer will officially resign January 12, 2015 for governor-elect Bruce Rauner to appoint a new Comptroller, and will serve as comptroller on an interim basis until then.

“The sudden passing of Judy Baar Topinka left a hole in the hearts of the people of Illinois,” Quinn said. “While no one can replace Judy Baar Topinka, government must continue. Jerry Stermer is a respected and experienced budget expert who will carry out the duties of Comptroller with integrity and heart.”

Since the position of comptroller is an elected position, voters will have the opportunity to choose their comptroller in the next statewide election on November 8, 2016. The primary election is scheduled for March 15, 2016.

Stermer served as Director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget for Governor Quinn. He was the governor’s senior advisor for several years.

Before joining the governor’s staff in 2009, Stermer was the president of Voices for Illinois Children; he led the group since it was founded in 1987.

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