Happy Judy Day! Today, January 16, Judy Baar Topinka would have been 80 years old. We lost her too soon.
We miss her honesty, hardwork, her love of her state, and her love of animals!
Celebrate “Judy Day 2024” By Donating Pet Food or Time To Your Favorite Animal Shelter
Tuesday, January 16, 2024, would have been Judy Baar Topinka’s 80th birthday.
To honor Judy’s legacy and commitment to saving shelter dogs and cats…the Judy Baar Topinka Foundation encourages you to donate a can of pet food (or other needed wish list item) to your favorite local animal shelter or rescue group.
Please consider adopting a pet, or volunteering your time, to an animal shelter, if you are in a position to do so.
Judy believed EVERYBODY can make a difference.
Animals were very near and dear to Judy’s heart. While she was the Illinois State Comptroller, Judy Baar Topinka, spearheaded “Comptroller’s Critters”, a groundbreaking program connecting Illinois no-kill animal shelters, rescue groups, and pet-lovers, to reduce the number of cats and dogs roaming the streets, and connect them with loving fur-ever families. This unique pet-saving program received national attention in the “Litty Kitter the Cat” theatre for young audiences stage play and best-selling children’s books.
Judy Baar Topinka is remembered by many as a trailblazing female public servant who paved the way for young girls who dreamed of becoming elected officials. The uniquely open-minded leader smashed gender stereotypes and served the people of the State of Illinois in the roles of senator, representative, treasurer and comptroller.
Judy Baar Topinka was flexible, never caved in to political party demands, diligently served ALL people regardless of party affiliation, and worked together on both sides of the aisle to create common sense solutions to complicated issues.
As a public servant, she was truly one-of-a-kind, a champion of human rights and animal rights.
Judy Baar Topinka – left us entirely too soon – although she left behind a treasure trove of positive accomplishments for humankind and animalkind, countless memories, and unpublished manuscripts – her physical presence is deeply missed by her family, friends and constituents.