Judy Baar Topinka

Judy Baar Topinka Charitable Foundation

Joseph Topinka

Klas Restaurant building is at risk of being demolished

The Klas Restaurant building is at risk of being demolished.  If Judy Baar Topinka was alive, she would be fighting to save it. 

Judy announced her candidacy for Illinois Governor because of her love for her Czech and Slavic heritage. For her, the building represented her heritage as well as her community which included the Cicero area. Please watch the video about the Klas Restaurant building and the effort to save it. Also, enjoy the photos of Judy in Cicero, including near or in the Klas Building itself.

Donate to Help Save Klas Restaurant
  • Judy Baar Topinka 2005 Governor Race 01
  • Judy Baar Topinka Governor Race 02
  • Judy Baar Topinka in Czech Outfit
  • Judy Baar Topinka in 1981 w briefcase
  • Klas Restaurant with Judy Baar Topinka Sign

Letter From Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot

We received a wonderful letter from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office recognizing Judy’s efforts for the LGBTQ community.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR: CITY OF CHICAGO

Lori Lightfoot Letter

LORI E. LIGHTFOOT: MAYOR

March 17, 2021

Mr. Joseph Baar Topinka

Dear Mr. Topinka:

On behalf of the City of Chicago, I extend heartfelt gratitude to you for accepting this award on behalf of Judy Baar Topinka. It is an honor to welcome her into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.

Judy Baar Topinka was a true friend to the LGBT community. During her time in the Illinois House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate, and as Illinois State Treasurer she fought for gay rights, supported the Illinois Marriage Equality Bill, opened her office to the Equality Illinois’ delegation during the group’s lobby days, and much more. She broke down barriers for generations and her legacy will always live on.

I am proud to welcome Judy Baar Topinka into this year’s distinguished Hall of Fame class.

View the letter

Meaghan Hart | CAHME Awards Program

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is proud to announce the winners of the 6th Annual CAHME Awards Program.

Meaghan Hart, MHA Candidate (Johns Hopkins University) is the recipient of the 2021CAHME/Judy Baar Topinka Foundation Scholarship.

To learn more about the CAHME Awards, join us at our virtual booth during the ACHE Congress from March 22-25, 2021, or visit us at CAHME.ORG.

CAHME Full Page Ad 2021

Joseph Baar Topinka to speak at the Constitutional Democracy Project

Constitutional Democracy Project

On Friday, October 23, 2020, Judy Baar Topinka’s son, Joseph Baar Topinka, will be a speaker at the Constitutional Democracy Project from IIT Chicago Kent College of Law.

Joseph will be speaking from 2:30 pm until 3:45 pm on the following topic: What Makes a Good Leader? Lessons from Judy Baar Topinka’s life.

This whole event is an incredible opportunity for teachers, students, parents, and librarians. Of great interest to Joseph is the special presentation on Remembering Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Judy Baar Topinka was a great fan of Justice Ginsberg. 

The event is free and goes from 8:30 am until 3:45 pm Central.

More information at  https://constitutionaldemocracyproject.org/whatwedo/professional-development/conference-for-teachers/2020-workshops.html

Joseph Baar Topinka preserves legacy of mother: Pro-gay Republican Judy

The Windy City Times posted a wonderful article about Judy’s unwavering support of the LGBTQ community.

“Jeepers, gay people are people,” Judy told Windy City Times just prior to her 2014 re-election. “There’s rights under the constitution—everybody’s supposed to have them—and it bugs me when folks pick on gays or anybody else. I have a lot of gay people working in my office; they’re wonderful employees. We don’t single them out, or anything; they’re just part of the family.”

Read the Full Article

CAHME is Now Accepting Nominations for the 2021 Awards

CAHME Communications

The sixth annual CAHME awards are NOW open to all CAHME-accredited programs and Certified Healthcare Quality and Safety programs. We are grateful to our partners for their support of CAHME’s mission to advance the quality of healthcare management education.

Judy Baar Topinka CAHME

Once again we are proud to sponsor The CAHME/Judy Baar Topinka Foundation Scholarship for Health Policy is named in memory Judy Baar Topinka, who dedicated herself to a lifetime of public service to the people of the State of Illinois. This year, the award recognizes a student who served the community around COVID-19. The winning student will receive $2,000.

Other scholarships include

Winners will be announced in coordination with ACHE at their annual Congress on March 21, 2021, and will be featured in Modern Healthcare magazine (our exclusive media partner) in a full page placement. The deadline for applications is November 12, 2020 at 5:00 PM EST. Send completed applications to Dana Alexander, CAHME Administrative Resident, at dalexander@cahme.org.