The timing of the death of State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka has sparked a debate over who appoints her successor and for how long. Governor Quinn has the power to name Topinka's successor immediately, and speculation has centered on Sheila Simon, whom the Republican Topinka defeated last month. The issue being researched now by Attorney General Lisa Madigan is whether any appointment by Quinn would last only until the end of the term next January or until a special election can be held in 2016. Republican legislative leaders and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan read the law to say that Quinn's appointment would end on inauguration day, and then incoming governor Bruce Rauner would be empowered to fill the slot for the full four-year term.
