Biography

On November 8, 1994, Judy Baar Topinka was elected Illinois State Treasurer - becoming the first woman in Illinois history to hold this post. She also became the first Republican to be elected State Treasurer in 32 years. Topinka made history again in November 1998, as she won a second term as State Treasurer - becoming the first woman to be re-elected to a statewide office. Winning re-election to a third term as Illinois State Treasurer in 2002, Topinka became the first State Treasurer to win three consecutive terms.

The Early Years

Born in Riverside, Illinois on January 16, 1944, Topinka graduated from the Ferry Hall School in Lake Forest in 1962, and earned a B.S. degree in 1966 from Northwestern University's Medlil School of Journalism. Upon graduation, Topinka established herself as an accomplished journalist in the Cook County suburbs, including eleven years as a reporter and editor for several award-winning community newspapers.

She served as a public affairs executive with the American Medical Association and as a public relations advisor to area political candidates and organizations.