Remembering Governor Edgar

It was sad news indeed on Sunday afternoon when the state of Illinois learned that former Governor Jim Edgar had passed away after a courageous fight against pancreatic cancer. He was 79.

Governor Edgar served two terms as the state's chief executive, from 1991 until 1999. Prior to that he was the Secretary of State and had also been a state legislator.

"Governor Edgar was a dedicated public servant who led with independence, humility, and a genuine commitment to bringing people together," said House Republican Leader Tony McCombie upon learning the news. "Throughout his distinguished career, he worked tirelessly to build bridges across party lines, strengthen Illinois' fiscal foundation, and put the needs of our citizens ahead of politics. His steady leadership and principled example earned respect from Republicans and Democrats alike."

After learning of Edgar's passing, House Republican Conference Chair Jeff Keicher said, "Illinois has lost a great statesman and a genuinely decent person with the passing of former Governor Jim Edgar. It was a high honor for me to have been named an Edgar Fellow and to have had the opportunity to know him. He was an amazing man who accomplished a great deal for our state. Rest in peace."

The definitive guide to the biographies of Illinois' chief executives, The Illinois Governors: Mostly Good and Competent, describes the state's 38th Governor, Jim Edgar, as "the right governor at the right time."

Edgar held the office between the flashy, big-spending days of his predecessor and the scandal-tarred administrations of his two successors. Edgar was, according to the book's authors, Robert P. Howard, Taylor Pensoneau and Peggy Boyer Long, "comparatively dull, yet popular throughout his two terms."

So popular in fact that in 1994 he won a 101-county landslide, collecting the second-largest margin of victory for any governor in Illinois' history.

Thirty years after that landslide, Edgar retained both his popularity and his commitment to public service. So it was with great shock and concern that many around the Capitol and throughout the state learned of the former governor's announcement in late February that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Edgar handled the announcement with the class and dignity that longtime statehouse observers have come to expect.

"Brenda and I remain hopeful, and we are grateful for the kindness of so many who have offered their prayers and support," he said in a statement announcing the diagnosis. "We do not underestimate this challenge, but we have confidence in the medical team helping us address it."

As governor, Edgar sought to cut spending, and pay down a sizable bill backlog, while reforming Illinois' social welfare agencies and putting in place caps on increases in local property taxes. Yet he also boosted spending for education, both in early childhood and in K-12. He enacted guaranteed funding levels for students, and then gradually increased that funding level for each of the next three years. Governor Edgar also signed the Illinois Charter School Law in 1996 to enable the creation of a network of charter schools in Chicago and throughout the state.

Edgar saw the value of improved early childhood care to promote better lives for Illinoisans. He invested in both better pre-natal care and in pre-school programs for low-income families with an eye toward future savings in health care, education, welfare and even prison programs. During his tenure the state created the Department of Human Services to more efficiently deliver social services, and also created KidCare, a health insurance program for low-income Illinois children. He further acted to protect children and the public at large in 1995 when he signed the Sex Offender Registration Act.

The result of Edgar's tenure was a balanced budget and an improved credit rating.

"Edgar faced a $1 billion debt on his first day as governor," Howard, Pensoneau and Long wrote. "On his last day, he left a $1 billion cash balance for his successor."

"Governor Edgar dedicated much of his life to public service. May God Bless and comfort his family at this difficult time," said Rep. Patrick Windhorst.

Edgar was born in Oklahoma, but his family moved to east-central Illinois while he was a young child. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in history. It was at EIU that Edgar met his wife, Brenda. Not long after graduating he entered politics as an intern with the General Assembly. His first bid for elected office was unsuccessful - his only election loss - but he was not deterred and later served in the House during the 80th and 81st General Assemblies, before taking a position on Governor Jim Thompson's staff.

When Secretary of State Alan Dixon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980, Thompson appointed Edgar to fill the vacancy in that office.

"Throughout his public career," Thompson said, "his actions and his work have been in the best tradition of public service."

Edgar used the office to launch an aggressive campaign against drunk driving and to call for a requirement that Illinois motorists have auto insurance. Edgar was a devoted friend of libraries throughout the state.

Edgar was later elected to two terms in his own right, before winning the governorship in 1990.

After leaving the governor's office in 1999 Edgar did not forget how he got started in state government and he was a regular guest speaker at events for legislative interns. He took his commitment to education and public service to another level when he created the Edgar Fellows program at the University of Illinois. This program became a bipartisan launching ground for the careers of numerous Illinois public servants in the 21st century, both in and out of elected office.

"So many of us here in this chamber are proud to be part of the strong alumni group of the Edgar Fellows Program. I participated in the Edgar Fellows program in 2014, meeting great colleagues that I am proud to serve with together," said Deputy House Republican Leader Ryan Spain during a floor speech honoring Edgar just after hearing the news of his diagnosis. "All of us have these same stories and experiences of great relationships that we have made in the state of Illinois that were brought together by one very special person: Governor Jim Edgar."

Rep. Jason R. Bunting and Rep. Nicole La Ha are members of the current class of Edgar Fellows. Bunting recalled meeting the governor as a youngster visiting the Capitol.

"Governor Edgar was the first governor I personally met. I was in Springfield with my dad who was presenting on behalf of Soil and Water Conservations Districts," Bunting said. "As we were walking out of the room we happened to catch the governor in the hallway. There started my passion for politics and community service. It is a true honor to be selected for this year's class of Edgar Fellows."

La Ha spoke of the mission of carrying forward the virtues of public service which are at the heart of the Edgar Fellows program.

"His dedication to Illinois didn't end with his two terms as governor. Through his leadership program, The Edgar Fellows, he continued to invest in future leaders, and I'm grateful to have been chosen as one of them," La Ha said. "My sincere condolences to his family, friends and to all who loved him."

Another Edgar Fellow serving in the General Assembly, Rep. David Friess, shared similar thoughts.

"His leadership and lifelong commitment to public service have left a lasting impact on Illinois," Friess said. "As a member of the Edgar Fellows Program, I am honored to be part of the legacy he built in mentoring and inspiring future leaders to put good governance and civility first. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew and admired him."

Rep. Dennis Tipsword was a member of the Edgar Fellows class in 2023. He remembered engaging in a tense debate, after which Edgar came to speak with him. Expecting to be reproached, he was pleasantly surprised by the former governor's reaction.

"Instead, he smiled at me with his remarkable smile and said, 'Well done Dennis.' I was speechless," Tipsword said. "He went on to thank me for my professional debate on the topic and staying on point. He went on to ask about my wife, my kids and grandkids."

Tipsword's recollection is echoed by the tributes to Edgar which have been coming in since his death was announced on Sunday. Nearly all speak of Edgar's decency and compassion, and his genuine determination to make the state a better place for all its residents.

Governor Edgar is survived by his wife, Brenda, and two children, Brad and Elizabeth.