Jim Edgar, a respected two-term Republican governor of Illinois, has left a lasting mark on the state’s history with his death at 79.
According to AP News, Edgar passed away on Sunday due to complications from pancreatic cancer treatment, a diagnosis he revealed earlier this year. His family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support during his final months.
Edgar’s tenure in the 1990s is remembered for steering Illinois out of financial chaos into a period of stability. His pragmatic leadership as a moderate Republican won him broad appeal, even in heavily Democratic areas like Cook County.
Taking office in 1990 amid a recession and hundreds of millions in state debt, Edgar faced a daunting task. Bills were paid months late, and the public coffers were in disarray.
His response was decisive, pushing for budget cuts, layoffs, and reductions in popular programs while securing a permanent income tax surcharge for school funding. These moves, though unpopular at times, laid a foundation for fiscal recovery.
Reflecting on his approach, Edgar told reporters in 1998, “It wasn’t always pretty how it was done, but we got a lot done.” His willingness to tackle hard issues without dodging responsibility is a lesson some of today’s leaders might ponder.
Born in small-town Oklahoma, Edgar was a stark contrast to his predecessor, the charismatic and long-serving James R. Thompson. Reserved but effective, he built a reputation for integrity that stood out in a state later marred by corruption scandals under successors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich.
As the Republican Party veered sharply rightward, Edgar grew uneasy with its direction and notably joined “Republicans for Harris” to back Kamala Harris’s presidential bid last year. This move signaled his discomfort with partisan extremes and a preference for principle over loyalty.
His post-governorship years saw him decline multiple offers to return to politics, including runs for U.S. Senate and governor. Instead, he focused on teaching and roles like president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.
Edgar’s integrity became a benchmark, especially as Illinois grappled with the fallout from later governors’ legal troubles. Bob Kustra, his former lieutenant governor, noted that Edgar’s time in office was guided by honesty and marked one of the state’s most successful periods.
Even political opponents recognized his contributions, with former Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn praising Edgar’s dedication to education and his care for Illinoisans. Current Gov. JB Pritzker echoed this sentiment, ordering flags to half-staff in Edgar’s honor.
Pritzker urged citizens to emulate Edgar’s spirit, stating, “Now more than ever, we should channel that resolve to live with honesty and respect for all.” In an era of divisive rhetoric, this call to decency feels like a quiet challenge to both sides of the aisle.
Edgar’s family, including his wife and two children, survives him, with funeral details to be announced soon. Their statement highlighted the kindness shown to Edgar in his final months, a testament to the personal connections he fostered.
Illinois loses not just a former leader but a symbol of governance that prioritized results over flash. In a political landscape often driven by ideology or personal gain, Edgar’s record reminds us that steady, principled work can still leave a mark.
His story isn’t about grand gestures but about the quiet grit of doing what’s necessary, even when it’s unpopular. Perhaps that’s the kind of leadership worth mourning, and the kind worth seeking again.
