State of Illinois officials from both political parties remembered State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka Wednesday.
The popular politician died suddenly last week - a month after she was re-elected to the job.
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn said the Republican was well-known for her blunt personality.
"No matter what her party might say, no matter what may be the conventional wisdom of the day, Judy spoke from the heart and spoke the truth."
The memorial was held at a union hall near Topinka's hometown of southwest suburban Riverside.
Several hundred people attended - including former Illinois governors and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
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Some of the state's top elected leaders and former office holders are expected to speak at a memorial service for late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.
The service is Wednesday morning at a union hall in the Chicago suburb of Countryside. Among those expected to speak are Gov. Pat Quinn, Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner and former Gov. Jim Thompson.
Topinka died last week at age 70 after suffering complications from a stroke. The Republican also served as state treasurer and was a former head of the state GOP.
A spokesman says Topinka didn't want a funeral or wake, but had said friends and family could hold a memorial service.
Others expected to speak at the service include Illinois Auditor General William Holland and Topinka's former chief of staff, Nancy Kimme.