AFSCME remembers Judy Baar Topinka

Illinois comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, a Republican longtime state office holder, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 10. AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch issued this statement in response:

AFSCME mourns the passing of Judy Baar Topinka, a great friend of our union and working people across Illinois.

She was a good and decent person who always said and did what she thought was right, not just what was popular. She was dedicated to the public good, served with integrity, deeply respected all those in public service and demanded that every elected official do the same.

Judy believed in unions, and often proudly said she was a card-carrying member of two. She told the truth about the hard challenges facing our state and didn't let anyone of either party get away with falsely blaming them on working people, especially those in the public service.

Though Judy Baar Topinka is no longer with us, her standard of decency, sincerity and respect for working people is needed more than ever and should inspire us all.