CHICAGO—Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn tapped his longtime friend, aid, and acting budget director Jerry Stermer to serve out the waning weeks of the late Judy Baar Topinka's term as comptroller.
Stermer will resign Jan. 12 as new constitutional officers are sworn into office. Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner will then appoint someone to serve the full term to which Topinka was elected in November, before her sudden death.
Stermer was sworn into office at the announcement Dec. 19.
"While no one can replace Judy Baar Topinka, government must continue. Jerry Stermer is a respected and experienced budget expert who will carry out the duties of Comptroller with integrity and heart," Quinn said.
The appointment comes one day after Quinn called a special legislative session for Jan. 8 for lawmakers to consider setting a special election date to coincide with the next state election in 2016 to allow voters to pick a candidate to serve the remainder of the four-year term.
Quinn and Rauner are at odds over the issue, with Rauner arguing such a special election could violate the state constitution.
Quinn took a shot at that position Friday, saying he disagreed and believes it's "not something the public supports."
Rauner said in a statement: "Appointing a temporary placeholder and keeping Judy Baar Topinka's staff in place is an appropriate decision and will ensure continuity of services for the people of Illinois - for that I thank the governor. I know Jerry Stermer will be well served by Nancy Kimme and the team in the comptroller's office."
Rauner had urged the governor to tap Kimme to temporarily fill the position.
Topinka died of a stroke Dec. 10, five weeks after winning re-election as comptroller.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Monday issued an analysis concluding state law gave Quinn the power to make an appointment for the remainder of Topinka's term and that Rauner would hold sway over the new term. She recommended that lawmakers approve legislation setting a special election for the next statewide ballot to allow voters to pick a successor.
The comptroller's office manages the state's bills and payroll and maintains state and local fiscal records. The office publishes monthly and quarterly reports on the state's fiscal condition and its reports on the size of the bill backlog are closely followed by analysts and investors as a sign of the state's liquidity position.
