A press release from State Rep. Mike Tryon:

Representative Mike Tryon Sponsors Bill to Clarify Appointment Process for Statewide Office Vacancies

SPRINGFIELD….. In response to the appointment process that followed the untimely death of IL Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka last year, State Representative Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) has filed legislation that would outline how a replacement would be chosen.

Judy Baar Topinka

Topinka, a Republican, died on December 10, 2014 from complications following a stroke.

She had been recently re-elected to her office, but had not yet taken her new oath.

Nine days later, Governor Pat Quinn appointed a Democrat to fill the remaining 24 days of the term.

After taking his oath of office in early January, new Governor Bruce Rauner appointed Republican Leslie Munger to the new term.

“There was a great deal of confusion surrounding the appointment process for Judy’s successor, and my House Bill 3094 clears up some ambiguities in the current statutes,” said Tryon.

“The bill simply states that in the event of a vacancy in a statewide elected office, the Governor must appoint a successor from the same political party as the individual who previously held the post. Pat Quinn put a Democrat in a seat that had been held by a Republican, and I think that was wrong.”

The bill is currently sitting in the House Rules Committee.