(Chicago) Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is out with a legal opinion on how the late Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka should be replaced.

Lisa Madigan’s official opinion is that Governor Quinn can appoint a successor to serve until inauguration day January 12th and then Governor Rauner can appoint a successor to serve after that.

Rauner said last week that is  what makes sense, “I’m not an attorney, but it think it’s common sense that I would have that ability.”

But Madigan also thinks we need a new law to limit Rauner’s appointment to serve until the next election.  She’s calling on Quinn and Rauner and the legislature to let the voters elect a new state comptroller in 2016.   

Governor-elect Bruce Rauner issued the following statement:
“It is unfortunate we are even having this discussion less than a week following Judy’s death – now is a time we should be honoring her legacy."
“I appreciate Attorney General Madigan’s thoughtful and thorough review of this matter.  There is now clear bi-partisan agreement that the legal question is settled:  there are two appointments – one to fulfill the remainder of Comptroller Topinka’s term and another to fulfill the term to which Judy was elected on November 4th."
“With less than a month remaining in the current term, I continue to believe the best course of action for the people of Illinois is to maintain continuity in the office and respect the wishes of the Topinka family.”

Bill Cameron, 89 WLS News