Judy Baar Topinka

Judy Baar Topinka Charitable Foundation

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Grave Secrets by Judy Baar Topinka

grave secrets by judy baar topinka
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Illinois cemeteries are aesthetically pleasing, architecturally stunning, wondrous, vibrant nature preserves, overflowing with rich history, and brimming with “secrets”, including the final resting places of many “famous” people. Movie stars, authors, sports figures, television icons, radio personalities, politicians, scientists, singers, comedians and business moguls may all seem larger than life…but when all is said and done…everyone is equal in the graveyard. The book in your hands explores those graveyards.

Always thinking outside the box, Judy Baar Topinka took a creative approach by structuring this book as a “Guess the Celebrity” trivia book. This book has been posthumously published exactly as it was found in Judy’s estate.

While this is not a definitive list of EVERY famous person buried in Illinois…it is a brilliantly creative starting point…and provides a springboard for the reader to engage in their own research as well.

When visiting cemeteries as a celebrity death enthusiast, paranormal explorer, curious traveler, or historical researcher…please remember these are sacred grounds, leave everything exactly as you found it, and always be respectful of the property, posted rules, active funeral processions, committal services, and other visitors who may be mourning.

YOU are now officially an Illinois Cemetery Sleuth. Put on your detective coat and try your luck at uncovering “Grave Secrets”.

Announcing the CAHME 2023 Award and Scholarship

The Judy Baar Topinka Foundation is so proud of this year’s CAHME/Judy Baar Topinka Foundation Scholarship.  The scholarship is designed to help graduate students as they face the ever increasing costs of being a student especially during residencies where often they are unpaid.  The Judy Baar Topinka Foundation would like to offer more types of these scholarship in Judy’s name.  Consider a donation to help our future healthcare leaders.

CAHME Communications

Registration is open for the 2023 CAHME Award Ceremony at ACHE Congress on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Purchase tickets here before the early bird deadline on February 15. For questions, contact Dana Alexander, MHA, CAHME Communications and Engagement at dalexander@cahme.org. 

Along with generous corporate partners, foundations, board, and personal donations, CAHME takes great pride in recognizing through our CAHME Awards program those programs and their students that have distinguished themselves. 

This year’s recipients will be honored during the CAHME Award Ceremony at ACHE Congress on Sunday, March 19, 2023, and are acknowledged in the January 17, 2023 edition of Modern Healthcare. 

  • The CAHME/Fawn Lopez Future Leaders Award recipient is Lilian Abbo, MD, MBA Candidate at the University of Miami. Dr. Abbo is a patient advocate, health system leader and frontline disease expert managing infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship through a complex ecosystem in Miami, Florida. 

Visit cahme.org/awards to learn more.

Leadership and commitment to the common good is flourishing through CAHME’s Accredited programs and their students. Congratulations to these exceptional programs and students who are advancing the quality of healthcare management education. 

More great, virtual gifts to celebrate “JUDY DAY”

Judy Button Dont Call Me Honey

Judy Baar Topinka left us too early. Today, Judy would have been 79 years old. Imagine what she would have accomplished. Imagine what she would say today about our current leaders. Imagine what it would be like if the State of Illinois, her home County of Cook, and her hometown, the Village of Riverside, ever did anything to honor this incredible populist leader who was born in, lived her entire life in, and then died in Illinois while in office serving her fellow Illinois citizens. So far, these entities have done nothing.  However, one fellow Illinoisian has done something to honor Judy’s legacy and to inspire his young students.  His story is a great one to be told on “Judy Day.”

Tim Klein | Staunton High School in Staunton, Illinois

Tim Klein is a high school English teacher at Staunton High School in Staunton, Illinois. Tim started at Saint Louis University Law School before going into the classroom full time in 2015. He has been at the Center for Educational Opportunities in Troy; Edwardsville High School for summer Government; Jersey Community High School, and his current position at Staunton High School teaching English 1 and US Government.  In his past US Government courses at Staunton High School, Tim has used the book, Just Judy, A Citizen and Leader for Illinois to allow his upperclassmen to see the life and times of a great Illinoisan and how she battled through many political conflicts. His students really liked Judy’s victory speech (third link below) because they gravitate toward winners. Judy’s son talked to Tim Klein a few months ago. Tim told Judy’s son words to the effect that Tim’s students “thought Judy was like one of them.” 

Below you will see links to the videos that Tim has shown to his students to supplement their reading of Just Judy:

The Judy Baar Topinka Charitable Foundation hopes that teachers around Illinois and beyond use Tim’s example going forward.

The Illinois State Senate at the Illinois State Capitol

In addition, we are proud to present to you a digital copy of Your Guide to the Illinois Senate. This guide is a must for teachers all over Illinois and beyond for their students. Judy Baar Topinka served two terms as an Illinois State Senator. She loved the Illinois Senate. As is tradition in the Illinois Senate, when a Senator passed his or her first bill, it was signed by all of the Senators. 

A picture of Judy’s first Senate Bill (SB) can be found in Just Judy, A Citizen and Leader for Illinois along with many interesting stories about Judy’s service in the Illinois State Senate. One of those stories addresses how Judy was often referred to as “Honey” or “Baby” by many male senators and staff when she began her tenure in the Senate. In typical Judy style, she began wearing the attached button along with her incredible smile in an effort to set a standard for all senators.  She was a senator and proud of that title. Anything less than that title was dishonorable to the chamber itself. 

Remember that the foundation is always willing to donate copies of Just Judy to interested teachers. In an age of negatives, Judy Baar Topinka’s story is a positive one that can inspire young people to do great things for their communities in the future. Judy Baar Topinka was a model for all of us demonstrating that anyone with passion, drive, and hard work can triumph in the face of great odds.

your guide to the illinois senate
Judy Button Dont Call Me Honey

Some great, virtual gifts to bring a Judy Baar Topinka smile to all your faces

Eight years ago, we lost someone that was simply incredible. Here are some great, virtual gifts to bring a Judy Baar Topinka smile to all your faces and to provide inspiration to teachers all over who teach civics!

Accordion Recital

Judy Baar Topinka Home Tour and Accordion Video

This year, the Judy Baar Topinka Charitable Foundation is proud to show you the video taken in 2004 with Bob Sirott and his wife Mariann Murciano. It will make you laugh! The accordion recital is incredible!

Remodeling at the Illinois State Capitol

In addition, we are proud to present to you a copy of a guide that was produced years ago on the remodeling done at the Illinois State Capitol. This is a must for teachers all over Illinois and beyond for their students. Judy served two terms as a state representative and then two terms as a state senator. She loved both chambers in the capitol as they were full of stories, symbols, and history. 

Because of her love for the Illinois state capitol, Judy would take her son, Joseph, around the county and the world visiting state capitols and world seats of government. The visits were part of a never ending civics lesson for Judy and her son.

a guide to the renovated illinois house chamber and state capitol 2014
Download the Booklet

B.J. Ogata | Staunton High School in Staunton, Illinois

Finally, we want to highlight the efforts of B.J. Ogata who is a teacher at Staunton High School in Staunton, Illinois. B.J. has been teaching for twenty-two years at Staunton High School. He has coached several sports throughout this time at Staunton High School, including being the head track and field coach. B.J. has also taught a variety of social studies classes, mostly at the high school level but some at the junior high level as well. Currently, he is teaching World History, Geography, U.S. Government, and a dual-credit Political Science class through Lewis and Clark Community College. 

B.J. is currently using the book, Just Judy, A Citizen and Leader for Illinois, for his high school U.S Government course. This one semester course fulfills the State of Illinois Civics requirement, as well as the requirements to cover the U.S. Flag, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Illinois State Constitution. B.J. uses Just Judy along with a handout in order to inspire his students to consider Judy’s life and Illinois civics. With B.J. permission, we are proud to present you with a copy of his handout that you can download. We hope that teachers around Illinois and beyond use B.J. example going forward.

The foundation is always willing to donate copies of Just Judy to interested teachers. Judy’s story is a positive story in an age of negatives that can inspire young people to do great things for their communities in the future. Judy Baar Topinka was a model for all of us demonstrating that anyone with passion, drive, and hard work can triumph in the face of great odds. 

B.J. Ogata
B.J. Ogata
Download B.J.’s Guide

Just like Judy, you can take on the establishment and make changes which are good. Like Judy, you may not always win, but you should never give up. During this holiday season, Judy would often wish you a pleasant and loving season: “FA LA LA LA LA LA!” (This is actually a Judy quote.) 

Announcing the CAHME 2022 Award and Scholarship

The Judy Baar Topinka Foundation is so proud of this year’s CAHME/Judy Baar Topinka Foundation Scholarship.  The scholarship is designed to help graduate students as they face the ever increasing costs of being a student especially during residencies where often they are unpaid.  The Judy Baar Topinka Foundation would like to offer more types of these scholarship in Judy’s name.  Consider a donation to help our future healthcare leaders.

CAHME Communications

Registration is open for the 2022 CAHME Award Ceremony at ACHE Congress on March 27, 2022. Purchase tickets here before the early bird deadline on February 17. For questions, contact Dana Alexander, MHA, CAHME Communications and Engagement at dalexander@cahme.org. 

Along with generous corporate partners, foundations, and board/personal donations, CAHME takes great pride in recognizing through our CAHME Awards program those programs and their students that have distinguished themselves. 

This year’s recipients will be honored during the CAHME Award Ceremony at ACHE Congress on March 27, 2022, and are acknowledged in the January 17, 2022 edition of Modern Healthcare. These programs and students exemplify our mission of advancing the quality of healthcare management education. 

Visit cahme.org/awards to learn more.

These programs and students give hope in these difficult times, that leadership and commitment to the common good is flourishing through CAHME’s Accredited programs. Join me, in congratulating all of the winning programs and students.

Judy’s Day

Judy Baar Topinka Home Tour and Accordion Video
Watch the Judy’s Day Video

On January 16, 1941, a young girl was born in Chicago, Illinois.  No one realized that this lady would capture the hearts and minds of people all over the State of Illinois.  Judy Baar Topinka loved the Village of Riverside in which she spent her entire life, but she loved every county, township, city, village, and town in Illinois.

Judy had an incredible personality and the ability to embrace new ideas and new perspectives for the good of everyone in Illinois.

While there are often so many negative things being said in the media today about government and politics, you all may enjoy this video with WGN’s very own Bob Sirott and his wife Marianne Murciano taken at Judy’s home in Riverside, Illinois in 2004.  It is funny and loving and will bring you a smile on Judy’s Day!

The book, Just Judy, A Citizen and Leader for Illinois, tries to bring out that same Judy personality with an eye toward teaching young and old alike about civics, especially Illinois civics.