Topinka vacancy not yet a problem for Illinois

SPRINGFIELD The death of Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka is not expected to immediately affect day-to-day operations at the 235-employee office, a spokesman said Thursday.

A day after the 70-year-old Republican from Riverside died in a Berwyn hospital after suffering a stroke, spokesman Brad Hahn said the office still will be able to process checks so that payments can continue to be mailed out.

"Right now, we don't expect any delay in processing," Hahn said.

But Hahn said any lingering delay in naming a replacement for Topinka could become a problem.

"If this were to stretch out for weeks, we may have to revisit this discussion," Hahn said.

The time frame could provide a window for Gov. Pat Quinn and Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner to work out an agreement on how to proceed with the replacement process.

Topinka had just won a second term as the state's keeper of the checkbook. It appears Quinn has the power to name a replacement, but it is unclear whether that appointment will run out when Topinka's current term ends in January. If that is the case, Rauner would have the power to name a replacement when he is sworn in Jan. 12.

The law also appears to allow for a governor to appoint someone to a vacancy for the remainder of their term, raising questions about whether Rauner's pick would serve the full four-year term or be subject to a special election in two years.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is researching the questions.

On Wednesday, Hahn offered no specific details about how long the office could operate without its top position.

View post:
Topinka vacancy not yet a problem for Illinois