Jerry Stermer is sworn in Friday at the Thompson Center in Chicago/Photo courtesy of Illinois Radio News

By Jim Anderson–Illinois Radio News

The new Illinois comptroller is Jerry Stermer.

Stermer moves into the job after heading the governor’s budget office. He was appointed Friday and took the oath of office at the Thompson Center in Chicago.

“I accept this appointment in order to ensure that we maintain orderly and timely operations for state government, which are so important to all Illinois families,” he said.

The comptroller signs the checks for the state, and publishes various financial reports.

Stermer is 71. He lives in Evanston.

Gov. Pat Quinn says Stermer will serve 24 days. “I don’t believe that a legal fight on this issue is in the interest of the people of Illinois, so Jerry has agreed to voluntarily resign on Jan. 12,” he said.

That’s when the new governor will appoint a new comptroller. Stermer replaces Judy Baar Topinka, who died last week. Stermer will keep Topinka’s staff in place through Jan. 12.

In addition to his work with the state, Stermer spent 22 years as the head of the group Voices for Illinois Children.

Pat Quinn still wants a special election in 2016, arguing that an appointed individual shouldn't occupy a constitutional office for four years. Quinn is calling the General Assembly into special session on January 8th to consider the question. Governor-elect Bruce Rauner says whoever he appoints should occupy the office for the duration of Judy Baar-Topinka's term. That term ends in 2018.