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Governors

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar Dies at 79, Leaves Legacy of Bipartisanship

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a moderate Republican who led the state from 1991 to 1999, died on Sunday in a Springfield hospital due to complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 79. Edgar was remembered for his decency, bipartisanship, and commitment to reaching across the aisle. His passing is a major loss for the state, and his legacy continues to inspire Illinois leaders.

Key Takeaways:

  • Former Gov. Jim Edgar served as the 37th Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999, leading the state through a period of significant budget challenges.
  • Edgar was a fiscal conservative who pushed for budget cuts and made a temporary income tax surcharge permanent.
  • Despite his popularity, Edgar did not seek a third term as governor, instead focusing on teaching and serving as president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.
  • Edgar was a strong advocate for bipartisanship and civility, often speaking about the importance of "civility, compromise, and compassion" in politics.
  • He established the Edgar Fellows program, which aims to inspire and prepare young leaders for the future of Illinois state government.
  • Edgar expressed support for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and spoke out against former President Donald Trump.
  • Edgar's legacy continues to be celebrated by Illinois leaders, including Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

Statistics:

  • Former Gov. Jim Edgar served as the 37th Governor of Illinois, leading the state from 1991 to 1999.
  • Edgar established the Edgar Fellows program, which has had over 500 participants since its inception.
  • Edgar pushed for budget cuts and made a temporary income tax surcharge permanent in 1999.
  • The temporary income tax surcharge brought in millions of dollars in revenue for the state.
  • Edgar expressed support for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Sources:

  • "Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, moderate Republican who led state from 1991 to 1999, dies at 79," by Marni Pyke and the Associated Press
  • Statement from Gov. JB Pritzker on the passing of Former Gov. Jim Edgar
  • Statement from Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on the passing of Former Gov. Jim Edgar
  • Statement from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias on the passing of Former Gov. Jim Edgar
  • Associated Press and Daily Herald staff writer Marni Pyke

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