Don’t look for Gov. Pat Quinn to name a successor to Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka until after her memorial service on Wednesday.
Sources have told NBC Chicago that a number of people have contacted the governor’s office or the governor himself expressing interest in the job. The governor has no interest in naming himself.
"That’s ridiculous," according to one of his spokesmen.
Still, Quinn is said to be looking for someone who will "carry out Topinka’s role as a watchdog."
Topinka died last week after having a stroke. She won a second term as comptroller during last month's general election.
Local
Attorney General Lisa Madigan earlier Monday issued a ruling about Topinka’s successor. The governor’s staff notes that while Madigan sees two appointments – one for Quinn and one for Gov.-Elect Bruce Rauner – other legal experts believe that Quinn’s appointment will keep the comptroller job until there’s an election held.
A memorial service for Topinka will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Local 150, at 6200 Joliet Rd., in Countryside.
