Office of the Illinois State Treasurer
Springfield, Illinois
Treasurer 1995 to 2007
As a three-term, elected State Treasurer, I took a business-oriented approach to the office which controls the state's $13.5 billion in investments. Under my administration, the Office of the State Treasurer built a profit center for the State of Illinois through responsible fiscal management and expanded services and programs. I directed the financial planning, procurement, and investment of funds for the State of Illinois while managing and providing a strategic plan to a staff of 245 individuals. Additionally, I helped establish policies and compliance standards for the investment of public funds, helped create over 13,000 jobs to grow the economy, increased services and sought additional protections for Illinois consumers while streamlining the budget and substantially reducing headcount.
Under my tenure, the Office of State Treasurer developed a monumental college savings program that helped nearly 150,000 families save more than $2 billion to pay for college through one of the most affordable actively managed 529 programs in the nation.
In 1999, I lobbied for and took control of the state's Unclaimed Property Division. After taking over, Unclaimed Property did more with less. Despite cutting the budget by eleven percent and decreasing the workforce by thirteen percent, the Division increased services and returned over $400 million to the public. During the seven years the program was under my authority, the Division returned more money than the combined total for the previous 27 years.
Illinois Republican Party
Chicago, IL
Chairperson 2002 to 2005
As the first, female chairperson of a major political party in Illinois, I assembled and worked with a finance committee to encourage monetary donations to the Illinois Republican Party. Under my tenure we implemented the framework for the first paid statewide field program in modern Illinois history to assist local and statewide candidates with election processes. With my leadership, the State Party developed the first comprehensive voter integrity program in Illinois which assisted in the indictments of multiple local officials. Additionally, I served on numerous boards for the Republican National Committee.
Illinois Senate 22nd District
Riverside, IL
State Senator 1985 to 1995
In addition to serving as Minority Leader, committee assignments included: Health; Welfare; Corrections; Financial Institutions; Appropriations I; Transportation; Finance & Credit Regulations and the Joint Committee on Secondary and Elementary School Sports.
Cook County GOP
Riverside, IL
Chairwoman 1990 to 1992
Illinois House 43rd Legislative District
Riverside, IL
State Representative 1982 to 1984
Committee Assignments included: Human Services; Energy; Environment & Natural Resources; Judiciary; Aging; and Medical Assistance.
Illinois House 7th Legislative District
Riverside, IL
State Representative 1980 to 1982
Committee Assignments included: Judiciary I (Civil Law); Financial Institutions; Health and Human Services.
Cook County Suburban Republican Organization
Public Relations Director 1970 to 1977
Senator Leonard Becker (R-Cicero)
Cicero, IL
Research Analyst 1970 to 1977
American Medical Association, Department of Federation Communications, Division of Public Affairs
Coordinator of Special Events 1978 to 1980
Cicero Radio Corporation
Cicero, IL
Executive Vice-President 1975 to 1977
Judy Baar Topinka Public Relations
Riverside, IL
Consultant 1974
Forest Park Review and Westchester News
Forest Park, IL
1976 to 1977
Life Newspaper
Berwyn and LaGrange Park, IL
Features Editor, Reporter and Columnist 1966 to Present
The Ferry Hall School
Lake Forest, IL
High School Diploma 1962
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Medill School of Journalism BSJ 1966
Triton College
River Grove, IL
Honorary Degree in Arts, Political Science 1993
Medill School of Journalism - Hall of Achievement
Anti Defamation league – Americanism Award
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – Money Smart Award
AMVETS – Silver Helmet Award for Americanism
Rotary Club of Chicago – Appreciation of Leadership
National Association of Women Business Owners - Hall of Fame
Bikur Cholim Hospital – International Brotherhood
Government Assistance Program – Excellence Award
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