Early Years
Topinka was born in the Chicago suburb of Riverside, Illinois, to William and Lillian Baar, the children of Czech and Slovak immigrants. She graduated in 1962 from Ferry Hall School in Lake Forest and entered Northwestern University in Evanston. Topinka received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the university's Medill School. She is an alumna of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. After leaving Northwestern, Topinka became a reporter for several suburban Chicago newspapers and rose through the ranks to become an editor. On the side, Topinka established her own public relations business, through which she began a career in consulting for various political candidates.
In 1965, she married Joe Topinka. They had a son, Joe, before divorcing in 1981.
Topinka is a member of the Illinois St. Andrew's Society and attends multiple events throughout the year.
Read more about this topic: Judy Baar Topinka
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