Description

Illinois State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka will address Aurora Regional Chamber Members and guests as she shares her view on leadership and how that translates to dealing with the current state of Illinois finances.  If you want to know what that means for residents and businesses, come and join us and hear firsthand. 

 As Illinois State Comptroller, Judy Baar Topinka puts her experience, integrity, and sound judgment back to work for the people of Illinois. As Comptroller she brings those old-fashioned values of hard work, plain talk, and common sense back to Springfield.

Judy Baar Topinka was elected Illinois State Treasurer on November 8, 1994 – 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.

As State Treasurer from 1995-2007, Judy maintained a strong record of fiscal responsibility. During her tenure, the state earned record amounts of income on investments, money that helped to alleviate the tax burden on working families and made state government run more efficiently. Under her leadership, the Treasurer’s Office helped create and retain more than 13,000 new jobs through an innovative linked deposits program; developed the nation’s largest agriculture loan program for farmers, and helped more than 120,000 families save for college by creating one of the most affordable college savings programs in the nation. 

A recognized and respected fiscal conservative and taxpayer watchdog, Judy consistently spoke up when she believed public officials were acting irresponsibly. When Rod Blagojevich wanted to raid state funds, Judy stood up to him and refused to make the transfers.

As the granddaughter of immigrants, Judy learned from a very young age to respect the hard work and sacrifice that families all across Illinois make each and every day in order to make life better for their children. Judy’s parents were small business owners who taught her the importance of living within your means and managing money responsibly; a lesson our broken state government would be apt to learn today. 

For additional event details or sponsorship information, please contact Cristina Mancini, Director of Programs & Events at (630) 256-3182 or via email at cmancini@aurorachamber.com.

Seating is limited.  Pre-registration is required.