Judy Baar Topinka

Judy Baar Topinka Charitable Foundation

News & Events

Just Judy, a politician we miss

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Just Judy book

Her son’s loving tribute to Judy Baar Topinka’s leadership and style

By Cinda Ackerman Klickna

Judy Barr Topinka had a distinguished career in politics, serving as Illinois representative, senator, state treasurer and comptroller. She was often called “colorful” so it is fitting that a new book about her is colorfully designed, from the front cover, filled with items representing her life, to each page bordered in red and filled with photos. The book is a light, lively and living document of Topinka, which combines her biography and thoughts on leadership with activities teachers can use and questions students can discuss.

Read the rest at IllinoisTimes.com

Moravian Day Book Signing

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Join me, Joseph Baar Topinka, at Moravian Day for stories that enlighten, energize, inform, and entertain from Just Judy, the new biography of Judy Baar Topinka, the trailblazing leader and champion of equality in Illinois.

Moravian Day – September 29-30, 2018

Lithuanian World Center
14911 E. 127th Street
Lemont, IL 60439

Just Judy Invite Morovian Day

Just Judy Flyer MORAVIAN DAY

Judy Judy Book Signing Riverside Restaurant September 15, 2018

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Join me, Joseph Baar Topinka, for stories that enlighten, energize, inform, and entertain from Just Judy, the new biography of Judy Baar Topinka.

Judy was a pioneering female leader, tireless public servant, and champion of the Czech and Slovak heritage. The book details her life from journalist to state representative as Judy balanced state budgets, fought for equality, and broke through glass ceilings time and again. Stop by in person on the dates below or buy now at Amazon!

Book Signing & Meet the Author

Saturday, September 15, 2018 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Riverside Restaurant
3422 Harlem Avenue
Riverside, IL

Just Judy Flyer Riverside Restaurant

 

Israel Framed Print

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Israel Framed Print
Judy Baar Topinka’s son, Joseph, presenting the artwork to Nasatir. Inset: Judy Baar Topinka speaking at a JUF rally in support of Israel in 2012.

LATE ILLINOIS STATE TREASURER and comptroller Judy Baar Topinka loved estate sales. And if she saw something she thought might make a good gift for someone, she bought it. When her son, Joseph, discovered the Israel poster in the photo above among her possessions, he knew it belonged at JUF. In July, Joseph presented it to JUF President Steven B. Nasatir, who fondly remembered Judy as “a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people.” Among several examples were her purchases of Israel Bonds for the state.

She also was an increasingly rare type of leader, Nasatir said, eager to engage people of all backgrounds and willing to work with members on both sides of the aisle to make the state and its residents better. Many instances of those efforts are detailed in Joseph’s young-adult civics text and biography about his mother, Just Judy: A Citizen and Leader for Illinois.

~Joel Schatz

See the printed article here: Topinka Poster Presentation – JUF News 0918