The passing of Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka on Dec. 10 was tragic, unexpected and an enormous loss to the people of this state. Topinka’s death also raises a constitutional question. No one seriously disputes that Gov. Patrick J. Quinn has the constitutional duty to appoint someone to fill the vacancy in the comptroller’s office left by Topinka’s death. But will that appointee serve only until Bruce Rauner is inaugurated as our next governor on Jan. 12? (Editor’s note: This column was …