CHICAGO — Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, a well-respected two-term Republican leader known for steering the state towards financial stability in the 1990s, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79. According to his family, Edgar succumbed to complications related to his treatment for pancreatic cancer, a diagnosis he publicly revealed earlier this year. In a heartfelt statement, his family expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming love and support they received during his illness.
Jim Edgar, who served as a state legislator and held the position of Illinois Secretary of State for ten years, was elected governor in 1990. During his tenure, he successfully won reelection, even capturing votes from heavily Democratic areas such as Cook County, where Chicago is situated. Known for his moderate Republican stance, Edgar remained a pivotal figure in the party, although he grew increasingly uncomfortable with its shift to more extreme ideologies.
Notably, Edgar was one of the prominent Republicans who did not support Donald Trump during his presidency. Instead, he aligned himself with a bipartisan campaign called “Republicans for Harris,” advocating for Kamala Harris's presidential bid last year.
Born in a small town in Oklahoma, Jim Edgar was markedly different from his predecessor, James R. Thompson, who was known for his flamboyant style. When Edgar took office, Illinois was grappling with a significant financial crisis, operating with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt and delaying bill payments. In response to an economic downturn, he pushed for budget cuts and made difficult decisions that included layoffs and the reduction of popular state programs.
Despite these challenges, Edgar honored his campaign promise to make a temporary income tax surcharge permanent, ensuring a reliable funding source for public schools. Reflecting on his tenure, Edgar remarked in 1998, “It wasn’t always pretty how it was done, but we got a lot done. We went after some pretty tough issues. We didn’t get them all, but we got most of them.”
In a surprising move, Edgar announced in 1997 that he would not seek a third term as governor, despite his popularity. Following his departure from politics, he was approached by fellow Republicans to consider running for the U.S. Senate and even for Illinois governor again, but he declined those offers. Instead, Edgar transitioned into academia and served as the president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, among other roles.
Bob Kustra, who served as Edgar’s lieutenant governor, praised him, stating, “By any standard, he was a Republican whose integrity guided his time in office and who managed one of the most successful periods in Illinois state government.”
In a tribute to the late governor, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that flags across the state would be flown at half-staff in Edgar’s honor. Pritzker, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of Edgar’s legacy, urging citizens to embody the qualities of “honesty, integrity, and an enduring respect for all,” which Edgar exemplified throughout his career. “He will live on in the incalculable number of lives he touched and in the stronger institutions he helped build,” Pritzker stated.
Jim Edgar is survived by his wife and two children. His family has indicated that details regarding funeral arrangements will be shared in the coming days.
