Remembering JBT
Wednesday, Aug 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* An Illinois State Fairgrounds street was named after the late Judy Baar Topinka yesterday…
* More…
The late Judy Baar Topinka always said she was a big fan of the state fair and now, her name is part of the fairgrounds. Governor Rauner, dedicated the sign that marks Judy Baar Topinka Lane that replaces Corn Dog Lane.
Springfield alderman Cory Jobe, who worked for the late comptroller, says Topinka would have loved the sign.
“She’d be pretty humble about it. You know, Judy was just an everyday, real Illinoisan. I think that’s what made her unique. Her straight-talk approach to issues made her stand out. Everybody thought she was just one of us,” said Jobe.
* She was a huge state fair fan. And I think she would’ve gotten a chuckle knowing that “Corn Dog Lane” is now named after her. One reason is the street is lined with porta-potties…
Wherever Judy is, she has to be laughing.
The blue curtain separating the ceremonies from the rest of “Judy Baar Topinka Lane” kept onlookers from seeing a line of porta-potties along what used to be “Corn Dog Lane.”
Topinka, a former state lawmaker, three-term treasurer, and Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2006, had just been elected to a second term as comptroller when she passed away in December.
“The fair was Judy’s Las Vegas,” said the master of ceremonies.
* The street sign…
* But it wasn’t all about a street name…
In addition to that, Sen. Karen McConnaughay sponsored legislation aimed at improving the state’s computer system and government websites, increasing transparency for people wanting to better understand the government, making it easier to see its inner-workings. It’s a staple of leading that was important to the late Judy Baar Topinka.
“What I believe to be a very important piece of legislation. Yes, it honors Judy, but it also represents what she thought was the most important part of being a public servant - that we work for the people,” said Sen. McConnaughay.
Before showing off the legislation, Gov. Rauner said that Judy Baar Topinka was, “A champion of this legislation and Karen McConnaughay carried it.”
I miss that woman every single day.
- Fitting tribute - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:16 am:
One has to wonder what JBT would think of the current environment in Springfield & if things would be different if she were still here.
- Belle - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:17 am:
She made fiscal sense since she understood the numbers. No one wanted to hear the reality.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:18 am:
Sadly, I think many people didn’t realize what we had until Judy left us. Like you Rich, I miss her so much.
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:19 am:
A very fitting way to honor the memory of JBT. One of the big “what ifs” I think about is what if Judy had beaten Blagojevich when he ran for a 2nd term? I think we would be better off today if she had won. The voters really blew it on that one.
- Stones - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:22 am:
Agree with The Dude Abides on “what if”. I would add the same “what if” question on Poshard / George Ryan in 1988.
A fitting tribute to JBT.
- Stones - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:23 am:
Sorry that’s 1998 - typo
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:26 am:
Judy Baar Topinka celebrated Illinois every day. Illinois had no greater cheerleader. She was willing to say what was wrong, not because it needed to be said, but also did it to try to make that wrong right.
State Fair is about celebrating Illinois and the Fair and JBT fit together like a hand to a glove. It’s a time and place where we embrace who we are as a state, and allow state pride to be front and center.
Judy Baar Topinka took more pride in pointing out what made Illinois great than anyone I could think of. Sometimes things just make sense. I’m glad to see the Fair love her back as much as she loved the Fair. I hope to see the sign real soon.
- Senator Clay Davis - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:38 am:
Rarely do you see a politician associated with the words “common sense.” Definitely deserving.
Though I do have some “beef” with renaming Corn Dog Lane. C’mon, this is Springfield, the home of the corn dog! I wonder if Bob Waldmire and Judy are duking it out in the afterlife right now…
- Loop Lady - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 11:50 am:
She was a real mensch…she would be proud of you for taking care of yourself…
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 12:03 pm:
Mensch. Perfect word for JBT.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
“30 years of common sense” - a shame that that commodity is in such short supply now in Springfield.
I miss her.
- @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 1:10 pm:
“I think many people didn’t realize what we had until Judy left us.”
I thought Judy was pretty swell, but even so this applies to me.
– MrJM
- DuPage Dave - Wednesday, Aug 19, 15 @ 7:28 pm:
It’s great that everyone is showing their love for Judy these days, but where were they in 2006 when she needed their votes?