Interim State Comptroller Appointed

Governor Pat Quinn Friday appointed the state's Budget Director Jerry Stermer as Illinois Comptroller due to the death of Judy Baar Topinka.

Stermer will serve as Comptroller on an interim basis to ensure that state operations continue uninterrupted and will resign from the post on January 12, when Illinois Governor-elect Bruce Rauner takes office.

The appointment follows Quinn's call for legislators to reconvene in Springfield on January 8 to pass legislation that will allow voters to fill the elected position of Illinois Comptroller. While Friday's appointment of Stermer is effective immediately, the position of Illinois Comptroller is an elected position. Quinn says a special election will give the voters the opportunity to choose their Comptroller in the next statewide election on November 8, 2016.

For his part, Rauner stated of the appointment, "Appointing a temporary placeholder and keeping Judy Baar Topinka's staff in place is an appropriate decision and will ensure continuity of services for the people of Illinois; for that I thank the governor. I know Jerry Stermer will be well-served by Nancy Kimme and the team in the comptroller's office."