Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, a widely respected leader known for his bipartisan approach and steady hand during turbulent times, died on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Springfield. He was 79. His passing, following complications from treatment for pancreatic cancer, marks the end of an era in Illinois politics—one characterized by fiscal prudence, cross-party cooperation, and a deep commitment to public service.
Edgar’s family announced his death in a heartfelt statement, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support during his illness. “It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved husband, father and grandfather Jim Edgar passed away this morning in Springfield from complications related to treatment for pancreatic cancer. We are deeply grateful for the love, support and kindness so many have shown to Jim and our family over these last several months,” the statement read, as reported by ABC7 and the Associated Press.
Born on July 22, 1946, in Oklahoma, Edgar moved to Charleston, Illinois as a boy—a relocation that would shape his political destiny. His interest in public service began early, and by 1974, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives. After two terms, Governor Jim Thompson tapped him to serve as legislative liaison, and in 1981, Thompson appointed Edgar as Secretary of State to fill a vacancy. Edgar was subsequently reelected to that post twice, serving a full decade and building a reputation as a reformer. Notably, he led a crackdown on drunk driving and, in 1990, instituted Illinois' first mandatory liability insurance requirement for drivers. “And if people do not obey the law that says you have to have insurance, they're gonna pay a steep price,” Edgar declared at the time, according to ABC7.
In January 1991, Edgar was sworn in as Illinois’ 38th governor, the start of a two-term tenure that would span until 1999. He remains the last Republican governor in Illinois elected to more than one term, a testament to his broad appeal across party lines. His leadership style was grounded in principle and pragmatism. “I seek cooperation, not confrontation with the legislature,” Edgar said at his first inauguration, a sentiment he would live by throughout his career.
Edgar’s time in office coincided with significant fiscal challenges. When he first ran for governor, the state was facing a then-record one billion dollar deficit. According to the Associated Press, Edgar pushed legislators to cut the state budget, making difficult layoffs and cuts in popular programs. Yet he also kept his campaign promise to make a temporary 20% income tax surcharge permanent—a move that guaranteed a stable source of funding for public schools. “He looked at the numbers at length and said, ‘Nope, we need to keep this revenue, if we don't keep it, the state of Illinois can't function, and I can't govern,’” recalled Gary Mack, Edgar's former press secretary, in an interview with ABC7.
Edgar’s fiscal conservatism was matched by a willingness to reach across the aisle. “He always did what he thought and believed firmly was in the best interest of the state, always reached across the aisle, always was willing to face the consequences of what happened,” Mack said. His bipartisan approach earned him respect from both Republicans and Democrats. “He was not an ideologue. He was a man that put the finances of the state and also the real priorities of the state—transportation, public safety, finances—ahead of social issues,” noted former House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.
In 1994, Edgar was reelected in a landslide, even winning heavily Democratic Cook County—a rare feat for a Republican. During his second term, he ramped up school spending and, in 1995, overhauled the Chicago Public Schools system. His efforts to expand recreational spaces across Illinois earned him the nickname "conservation governor." According to ABC7, Edgar’s priorities were always about “getting the work done and managing the state well,” as political analyst Laura Washington observed.
Despite his popularity, Edgar surprised many by announcing in 1997 that he would not seek a third term. Republicans attempted to draft him for further runs, including the U.S. Senate and another gubernatorial bid, but he declined. Instead, Edgar turned to academia, teaching public policy at the University of Illinois Springfield alongside former Democratic governor Pat Quinn. He also served as president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, continuing his lifelong commitment to civic education.
Edgar’s impact extended beyond policy. He was known for his humility and personal touch. “He had a good touch with people,” Pat Quinn told ABC7. “People liked him. He was a public servant in the best sense of the word.” Current RTA chairman Kirk Dillard, Edgar’s first chief of staff, called him a political mentor who “preached cooperation, and lived it every day.”
In one of his final public appearances, Edgar was honored on May 28, 2025, when the Illinois State Library’s first-floor reading room was renamed in his honor for his many contributions to the state’s library and literacy programs. “There was no job that I enjoyed more than being state librarian,” Edgar said at the ceremony, according to ABC7. “If you know anything about me, you know I love books.” The event, attended by friends and former colleagues from both parties, was a fitting tribute to a man who cherished knowledge and public service. “To be remembered in this building means a lot to me,” he remarked. “I get to see a lot of old friends and to have those Democrats say nice things about me. Couldn't have had a better day.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who ordered flags across the state to be flown at half-staff in Edgar’s honor, reflected on his legacy in a statement: “Governor Edgar was a model public servant, a devoted father and husband, and an honest and honorable man. I was lucky enough to consider him a friend and mentor and have found myself drawing from his words of wisdom on countless occasions. His commitment to reaching across the aisle in service of the people of Illinois undeniably made our state better. Now more than ever, we should channel that spirit and resolve to live as Governor Edgar did: with honesty, integrity, and an enduring respect for all. He will live on in the incalculable number of lives he touched and in the stronger institutions he helped build.”
The Illinois Republican Party also released a statement, offering “our deepest condolences to the family of former Governor Jim Edgar, a dedicated leader who served the people of Illinois. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brenda and the Edgar family during this difficult time.”
Jim Edgar is survived by his wife, Brenda, and two children, Brad and Elizabeth. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days. As Illinois mourns, Edgar’s legacy—as a governor who put principle above politics and the public good above party—remains a powerful example for leaders across the nation.
