Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Jim Edgar

James Robert Edgar (July 22, 1946 – September 14, 2025) was an American Republican politician who served as the 38th from 1991 to 1999. Born in , and raised in , Edgar earned a in history from before entering politics as a state representative in the Illinois House from 1977 to 1981. He then served as from 1981 to 1991, where he implemented measures including a crackdown on , mandatory motorist , and an adult literacy program modeled nationally. Elected in 1990 and reelected in 1994 by the largest margin for an incumbent in state history—carrying 101 of 102 counties—Edgar inherited a massive deficit and achieved a over his tenure, culminating in a $1.2 billion surplus by leaving office. As , Edgar prioritized fiscal discipline by cutting spending by over $2.5 billion, reducing the by 2,500 positions net despite expansions in child and corrections, and avoiding broad income or increases until providing relief in 1998—the first in nearly three decades—while improving bond ratings and clearing backlogs in healthcare payments. He boosted education funding by $2 billion (a 55% increase), reformed Chicago's public schools in 1995, tripled child spending to accelerate adoptions from 708 to 4,300 annually, and reduced rolls by 50% through work requirements amid adding 600,000 jobs and lowering unemployment to a 30-year low. Dubbed the " governor," he acquired record acreage for open space preservation. A moderate within his party, Edgar pursued on issues like abortion rights and school funding, earning high approval ratings above 60% upon departure, though some later critiques from fiscal conservatives targeted compromises such as adjustments under his "Edgar plan" for deferring structural reforms that exacerbated long-term liabilities. Post-tenure, he held fellowships at Harvard and the University of , founded leadership programs, and served as president emeritus of the Presidential Library Foundation until his death from .

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family

James Robert Edgar was born on July 22, 1946, in , to Cecil Edward Edgar and Elizabeth "Betty" Moore Edgar. The family soon relocated to —Cecil's hometown—where he operated a small office supply business after earlier work as a steelworker. As the youngest of three sons, with older brothers Tom and Fred, Edgar grew up in a modest Midwestern that emphasized practical self-sufficiency amid the challenges of post-World War II rural life. Tragedy struck in September 1953 when Cecil died in an automobile accident, leaving seven-year-old Edgar and his siblings in the care of their widowed mother. Betty Edgar, who had been a homemaker, took a position as a clerk at Eastern Illinois University to support the family, exemplifying the resilience and work ethic central to their upbringing. This single-parent dynamic in Charleston, a small community in east-central Illinois, fostered values of discipline, straightforwardness, and mutual reliance drawn from family responsibilities and local church involvement, which prioritized decency, compassion, and civility over dependency. Exposure to his father's entrepreneurial efforts in supply trade provided early insights into the demands of small-business operations, including managing limited resources without external aid—a foundational experience in an environment skeptical of unchecked expansion or fiscal overreach. These formative elements in rural shaped Edgar's enduring appreciation for community-driven , contrasting with reliance on expansive programs.

Higher Education and Early Influences

Edgar transferred to (EIU) in , after completing his freshman year at , an all-male liberal arts institution in . At EIU, a , he majored in with a minor in , earning a degree in history in June 1968. This made him the first Illinois governor to graduate from a public university when he later ascended to that office. During his senior year at EIU (1967–1968), Edgar was elected student body president, his initial foray into elected . In this role, he advocated for student concerns within university administration, gaining practical experience in organizational management and consensus-building without engaging in political activism at the time. His campus activities, including appointment to the student senate, further developed skills in public representation that proved foundational to his career. Edgar's history coursework at EIU deepened his longstanding fascination with American governance and , originating from childhood interests. This academic grounding emphasized causal patterns in historical events over ideological abstractions, fostering a preference for evidence-based that characterized his subsequent approach to , though specific professors or readings influencing this perspective remain undocumented in primary accounts.

Political Ascendancy

Legislative Service in Illinois House

Jim Edgar was elected to the House of Representatives in November 1976, representing the 53rd Legislative District in eastern , which encompassed and his hometown of . As a in a chamber controlled by Democrats, Edgar focused on local constituent issues, including efforts to provide relief for residents burdened by rising assessments in rural and agricultural areas. Re-elected in November 1978, Edgar continued his service into early 1979, advocating for regulatory streamlining to reduce burdens on small businesses and farmers in his . He sponsored aimed at enhancing fiscal , such as measures to cap state spending growth in light of from previous budget shortfalls that had strained local governments. These initiatives reflected a conservative approach prioritizing sustainable budgeting over expansive programs, critiquing Democratic-led expansions as fiscally unsustainable given historical deficit patterns. Edgar's tenure demonstrated , as he collaborated with majority Democrats on select local reforms while upholding core principles of intervention. His legislative efforts laid the groundwork for his reputation as a pragmatic reformer, though he resigned in 1979 to serve as legislative liaison under , transitioning from elected to appointed roles in state government.

Transition to Statewide Office

In January 1981, Governor appointed Jim Edgar, then a state representative, as to fill the vacancy created by Alan Dixon's election to the U.S. Senate. This transition marked Edgar's shift from legislative service to an executive role overseeing services, filings, and licensing, roles that demanded operational efficiency over partisan posturing. Edgar's prior experience as Thompson's legislative liaison had demonstrated his reliability in navigating bureaucratic processes, positioning him as a pragmatic administrator suited to modernize the office's routine functions. Edgar secured full terms in the 1982 and 1986 elections, defeating Democratic challengers with campaigns emphasizing streamlined operations and cost savings. During his tenure, he ended the longstanding practice of manufacturing license plates in out-of-state prisons, redirecting production to a private firm employing individuals with disabilities, which reduced dependency on external systems and supported local economic activity. These changes exemplified a focus on practical reforms, including efforts to combat vehicle theft and through the office's investigative arm, fostering public trust in the integrity of state services. Edgar's handling of these foundational duties—vehicle registration, driver licensing, and related —highlighted his preference for results-oriented , appealing to voters disillusioned with more ideological figures. By prioritizing data-driven efficiencies, such as internal process improvements that curbed waste without expansive new programs, he built a reputation for competence that contrasted with flashier political styles, laying groundwork for broader executive ambitions.

Service as Secretary of State

Administrative Reforms

As from 1981 to 1991, Jim Edgar prioritized operational efficiencies in licensing and , notably through the adoption of administrative license revocation under the state's summary suspension for DUI offenses, enacted following recommendations from a he chaired. This reform enabled immediate license suspensions by department officials upon arrest for with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 or higher, bypassing initial hearings and thereby expediting from weeks to days while enhancing public safety by keeping impaired drivers off roads more promptly. Edgar also reformed vehicle registration practices by terminating contracts for license plate production in out-of-state prisons and relocating manufacturing to the in , which improved administrative control, reduced transportation costs, and aligned production with in-state resources amid ' history of procurement irregularities. His office further enforced commercial vehicle safety through updated regulations for second-division , including mandatory inspections and compliance guides issued under his administration, which targeted hazardous operations without imposing undue burdens on trucking firms. These measures reflected a pragmatic approach to regulatory , prioritizing empirical data over expansive mandates.

Path to Governorship

In the Republican primary election held on March 20, 1990, Jim Edgar secured the gubernatorial nomination by defeating businessman Steve Baer, a challenger emphasizing stricter ideological on taxes and social issues, with 62.8% of the vote to Baer's 33.5%. Edgar's victory stemmed from his emphasis on pragmatic administrative accomplishments as , such as operational efficiencies and voter outreach, rather than rigid purity tests, appealing to voters prioritizing competence amid statewide fiscal strains inherited from prior administrations. Facing Democratic nominee Neil Hartigan, the Illinois Attorney General, in the general election on November 6, , Edgar campaigned on fiscal restraint to address an estimated $540 million budget deficit left by outgoing , vowing no new taxes and spending controls to avert deeper insolvency. He critiqued Hartigan's record as indicative of Democratic tendencies toward unchecked expenditures, arguing from rising state debts under liberal policies necessitated conservative discipline over expansive programs. Edgar's platform subordinated social positions, including except in cases of , , or maternal health risks, to economic realism, positioning him as a steady manager against Hartigan's perceived fiscal laxity. Edgar prevailed narrowly, garnering 1,653,126 votes (50.75%) to Hartigan's 1,577,619 (48.43%), a margin of approximately 75,507 votes, buoyed by downstate and suburban support for his anti-tax pledges amid voter backlash against government profligacy. This outcome reflected Edgar's strategic focus on verifiable fiscal accountability, contrasting Hartigan's campaign, which polls showed tightening late but ultimately faltered on perceptions of inadequate deficit remedies.

Governorship

First Term: Fiscal Stabilization (1991–1995)

Upon assuming office on January 14, 1991, Governor Jim Edgar inherited a structural budget deficit in , exacerbated by prior spending commitments and revenue shortfalls under his predecessor, . The state faced immediate fiscal pressures, including delayed payments and the need to craft a without broad tax increases, amid a Democratic-controlled legislature. Edgar proposed initial spending reductions of approximately $454 million for fiscal year 1992, prioritizing cuts in non-essential areas while protecting core services like and public safety. These measures aimed to align expenditures with revenues, setting a tone of fiscal restraint that contrasted with previous expansions. Negotiations for the fiscal 1992 budget, totaling $25.6 billion, extended into late July 1991, resulting in an 18-day period without an enacted budget—the first such delay in modern history. The compromise avoided a general hike but included a permanent extension of half of a prior temporary surcharge, providing targeted revenue while Edgar vetoed extraneous spending items to enforce discipline. Overall, Edgar's administration implemented agency-wide spending cuts exceeding $2.5 billion across his tenure, with significant portions in the first term targeting administrative efficiencies and program reforms. These actions, combined with economic recovery, began to close the gap, shifting from financing to pay-as-you-go principles by mid-decade. A key component of stabilization efforts came in 1994 with system interventions addressing a roughly $15 billion unfunded liability across state retirement funds. signed bipartisan legislation establishing a 50-year "ramp-up" funding schedule, mandating gradual increases in state contributions toward a 90 percent funding goal by 2045, which proponents viewed as a long-term corrective to chronic underfunding. This framework deferred aggressive immediate payments in favor of structured amortization, aligning with broader efforts to prevent recurring crises without derailing current budgets. While later critiqued for enabling future shortfalls by prioritizing short-term relief, it contributed to fiscal breathing room during 's first term, facilitating balanced operating budgets and averting default risks. By 1995, these policies had positioned for surplus generation in subsequent years, underscoring 's emphasis on over expansive government.

Budget Deficit Resolution

Upon assuming office on January 14, 1991, Governor Jim Edgar immediately confronted a $300 million shortfall in the ongoing 1991 budget, inherited from the prior administration amid a national that strained state revenues. Rather than pursue broad tax increases, Edgar prioritized spending reductions, proposing a 1992 that cut appropriations by approximately $454 million from the prior year's $26.040 billion total, with deeper trims targeting and other discretionary areas totaling around $500 million. These measures included line-item vetoes and administrative efficiencies to avoid borrowing from future revenues or depleting reserves, reflecting Edgar's commitment to fiscal restraint despite Democratic control of the legislature. Negotiations extended into July 1991, resulting in an 18-day without a finalized , the longest in at that point, before lawmakers approved a $25.6 billion 1992 plan without a general hike—a political victory for Edgar that preserved his no-new-taxes pledge. The enacted incorporated Edgar's proposed cuts of about $273 million in appropriations, focusing on non-essential programs while maintaining core funding for and public safety, and was described by the governor as "sound" yet requiring ongoing vigilance to sustain balance. By the end of his first term, these austerity efforts had stabilized Illinois' finances, eliminating the immediate deficit and positioning the state toward balanced budgets without reliance on temporary revenue gimmicks, though critics noted the short-term pain from reduced services. Edgar's approach—slashing expenditures cumulatively by over $2.5 billion across his tenure while avoiding structural tax hikes in the initial crisis—contrasted with subsequent governors' strategies and earned bipartisan recognition for restoring fiscal health amid economic headwinds.

Pension System Interventions

In 1994, Jim Edgar signed 88-593, establishing a 50-year funding schedule for ' state to address chronic underfunding and a reported $15 billion unfunded liability across the five major funds: the State Employees' Retirement , Teachers' Retirement , State Universities Retirement , Judges' Retirement , and Retirement . The legislation, enacted in August , set a target of 90% funding by 2045, replacing prior payment practices with a structured amortization plan that prioritized long-term solvency over immediate full funding. Known as the "Edgar Ramp," the plan scheduled gradually increasing state contributions starting at $607 million in 1996—well below the actuarially required amounts—and escalating to $16.8 billion by 2045, allowing short-term budgetary flexibility amid fiscal constraints following Edgar's resolution of the state's operating deficit. This back-loaded approach received bipartisan legislative approval and endorsement from public employee unions, reflecting a compromise that deferred higher payments to future budgets while assuming steady investment returns and no additional benefit expansions. At the time, the pension systems were approximately 55% funded, a condition exacerbated by decades of skipped or reduced contributions under previous administrations. Edgar presented the ramp as a pragmatic solution to avert collapse without raising taxes or cutting benefits, aligning with his broader fiscal stabilization efforts that included spending controls and measures. Subsequent evaluations, however, have attributed much of the escalation in unfunded liabilities—reaching over $130 billion by the —to the plan's low initial contributions, which permitted liabilities to outpace assets amid market volatility and later benefit enhancements, though Edgar maintained it represented responsible incremental reform given political realities.

Second Term: Policy Consolidation (1995–1999)

Edgar's re-election in November allowed him to consolidate fiscal reforms from his first term by prioritizing economic , welfare-to-work transitions, and tougher criminal sentencing without new broad-based taxes. Unemployment fell from 7.2% in 1991 to 3.9% by 1998, with employment rising by 600,000 jobs to 6 million statewide, amid exports growing 124% over his tenure.

Economic Deregulation and Growth Initiatives

In 1995, Edgar signed legislation repealing the Structural Work Act, which had imposed on employers for workplace injuries, aiming to reduce litigation costs and attract businesses by limiting double recovery for workers. This reform sought to improve business climate amid competition from neighboring states. In 1997, he oversaw of the industry, effective January 1998, which lowered rates by 15% initially and an additional 5% by 2002, yielding annual savings of $640 million for businesses and households. Growth efforts emphasized job retention over subsidies, including the Industrial Training Program that provided $111 million in grants to train nearly 200,000 workers for high-demand sectors. The Assistance Program allocated $350 million in grants to small communities, such as a $500,000 award that enabled Simonton Windows to create 175 jobs. State policies maintained low taxes—ranking second lowest among the six most populous states in 1998—and cut unemployment insurance taxes, contributing to investments like Technologies' $600 million facility in DuPage County, generating 2,000 high-tech positions.

Social Welfare and Criminal Justice Reforms

Welfare reforms accelerated self-sufficiency, with Edgar signing a 1997 law imposing a two-year work requirement and five-year lifetime benefit limit under the federal framework, modeled after national changes. Programs like Earnfare and Work Pays, expanded through the , reduced cash grants by $1 for every $3 earned from employment, tripling the number of aid recipients in jobs by and sustaining momentum; caseloads dropped from 242,000 families in to 109,000 by 1998, with 317,000 individuals transitioning to unsubsidized work since 1991. funding rose from $54 million in 1991 to $392 million in 1999, supporting 130,000 children and enabling the Teen Parent Initiative to mandate high school completion for 9,500 young mothers. Illinois ranked first in the Midwest and tenth nationally for effectiveness per a 1998 study. In criminal justice, Edgar signed a stricter truth-in-sentencing law on August 21, 1995, mandating that felons serve at least 85% of sentences for violent crimes including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault, aiming to curb early releases. Anti-gang measures in 1995 imposed mandatory 15-to-60-year terms for drug operation leaders and expanded the death penalty to drug kingpins ordering murders and drive-by convictions. A 1997 law required civil commitment for violent sex offenders post-sentence until deemed safe, alongside establishing a sex offender registry and harsher penalties for crimes against children under 13. These initiatives expanded prison capacity by 13,000 beds, including a 500-bed supermax facility in Tamms opened in 1998, boosting the inmate population 54% to over 43,000 by 1998; an "Instant Check" gun sales system denied over 10,000 prohibited purchases by mid-1998 from 1.2 million inquiries.

Economic Deregulation and Growth Initiatives

During his second term, Governor Jim Edgar prioritized deregulation and pro-business reforms to enhance Illinois' economic competitiveness, building on fiscal stabilization achieved earlier. These initiatives aimed to reduce regulatory burdens, foster in key sectors, and create a more attractive environment for job retention and business expansion without raising taxes. Edgar's approach emphasized streamlining government oversight and overhauling laws that deterred , contributing to a reported improvement in the state's business climate rankings during the late . A significant step involved to curb excessive litigation costs for employers. In February , Edgar signed legislation repealing the Structural Work Act of 1907, which had allowed injured construction workers to sue third parties beyond coverage, often leading to high insurance premiums and business reluctance to operate in . This bipartisan measure shifted primary recourse to the system, reducing lawsuit-driven costs estimated to inflate construction expenses by up to 20 percent in affected industries, thereby lowering barriers for development projects and signaling a commitment to liability predictability. The cornerstone of Edgar's deregulation agenda was the electric utility sector. On December 16, 1997, he enacted the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Law (Public Act 90-0561), ' first comprehensive restructuring of the and the Midwest's inaugural such effort. The act mandated a 15 percent rate reduction for customers of major utilities like starting in 1998, followed by phased competition allowing consumers to choose suppliers by 2002, with projected statewide savings of approximately $640 million annually for businesses and households through market-driven efficiencies. This transition from to competitive generation separated power production from delivery, aiming to spur and lower long-term costs amid national trends toward utility liberalization. Complementing these efforts, Edgar advanced broader regulatory reviews and incentives for growth. In line with his 1996 State of the State proposals, he signed measures to streamline business regulations, including downsizing state agencies and eliminating outdated rules identified by the earlier Commission on Regulatory Review. These changes, alongside sustained fiscal discipline that enabled 1998 relief, supported job retention strategies, with focusing on retaining existing and aiding small-to-large firm expansion amid national recovery. Outcomes included enhanced credit ratings and a budget surplus by 1999, though long-term impacts varied with market fluctuations.

Social Welfare and Criminal Justice Reforms

During Governor Edgar's second term, Illinois enacted welfare reforms emphasizing work requirements and self-sufficiency, predating the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. These initiatives shifted public aid recipients toward employment by imposing time limits on benefits and mandating participation in job training programs, reducing caseloads through streamlined eligibility and cost-saving measures like managed for over 1.1 million low-income individuals starting April 1, 1995. In February 1995, the state legislature passed a bill cutting expenditures by limiting eligibility and benefits, which Edgar signed into law on a largely bipartisan basis. Savings from these reductions, estimated in the tens of millions, were redirected in 1997 to a $32 million job preparation and training fund to further promote workforce entry among former recipients. Reforms also targeted child welfare agencies, reorienting the Department of Children and Family Services to prioritize child safety and over administrative expansion, amid efforts to address systemic inefficiencies in placement. These policies aligned with broader fiscal constraints, reducing while increasing accountability for outcomes like rates, which rose as declined. In , Edgar pursued a "tough but smart" approach, signing truth-in-sentencing legislation on August 21, 1995, that required offenders convicted of violent felonies—including attempted first-degree , aggravated , and armed robbery—to serve at least 85% of their terms, curtailing early releases via good-time credits. This measure aimed to enhance public safety by ensuring longer incarceration for serious crimes, applying retroactively to certain cases pending implementation guidelines. Complementing deterrence, Edgar sponsored comprehensive anti-crime bills targeting gang violence and drug trafficking, expanding resources for neighborhood patrols and community prevention programs to address root causes like youth involvement in . These initiatives contributed to declining crime rates in during the late 1990s, balancing punitive sentencing with proactive interventions such as juvenile diversion and drug treatment incentives.

Key Controversies and Bipartisan Negotiations

Edgar's enactment of a temporary surcharge extension and rate increase from 4.8% to 7% in provoked sharp rebuke from conservative factions within the , who accused him of abandoning campaign commitments to avoid new taxes amid a projected $3 billion structural deficit inherited from prior administrations. These critics, including anti-tax groups, contended the hikes represented fiscal imprudence and a betrayal of small-government principles, potentially inflating state spending without addressing root inefficiencies. However, empirical outcomes substantiated the policy's efficacy: combined with $2.5 billion in spending reductions, the revenue measures eliminated a $300 million immediate shortfall upon taking office, cleared a massive unpaid bill backlog, and yielded budget surpluses by 1999, alongside upgrades that forestalled risks evident in states rejecting similar stabilizations. On social issues, Edgar's endorsement of rights, manifested in vetoes of restrictive such as enhanced parental notification mandates in 1995—later overridden by the Democratic-majority legislature—and reluctance to fully back partial-birth bans in 1997, estranged social conservatives who prioritized fetal protections grounded in the inherent sanctity of from . Pro-life advocates argued these positions undermined moral imperatives and party orthodoxy, potentially eroding support among base voters in national GOP alignments. In counterpoint, ' electorate leaned pro-choice, with public opinion polls consistently favoring access; Edgar's stance aligned with electoral realism in a blue-leaning state, avoiding veto overrides on core fiscal priorities and maintaining functionality without alienating moderate voters essential for viability. Bipartisan negotiations with the Democrat-controlled on successive exemplified pragmatic realism amid , yielding agreements that balanced restraint with targeted investments, such as record-high K-12 and funding increases totaling billions over eight years. Critics from the left decried associated measures—like $500 million in social service trims—as unduly harsh on vulnerable populations, while some right-wing observers labeled the compromises concessions that diluted conservative reforms. Yet, these deals averted shutdowns, as seen in the 18-day lapse early in , and empirically delivered fiscal : spending capped below inflows, enabling reduction and program stability without default, in contrast to standoffs in subsequent administrations that prolonged crises. This approach underscored causal necessities of coalition-building in a where Republicans held minority sway, prioritizing verifiable outcomes over ideological purity.

Post-Governorship

Continued Public Engagement

Following his governorship, Jim Edgar served as a senior fellow at the University of Institute of Government and Public Affairs, where he contributed to research and discourse on state governance and policy challenges. In this capacity, he emphasized practical, evidence-based approaches to fiscal management and administrative efficiency, informed by his prior experience balancing ' budget without tax increases. In 2012, Edgar established the Edgar Fellows Program through the University of Illinois, designed to cultivate skills among rising public servants by prioritizing problem-solving, bipartisan compromise, and forthright over partisan posturing. The program, which has trained more than 500 participants including state legislators from both major parties, focuses on and addressing structural issues like fiscal through data-driven rather than ideological rigidity. Fellows engage in seminars and projects that simulate real-world scenarios, underscoring the value of empirical evaluation in policy formulation. Edgar's post-office efforts extended to broader advocacy for institutional reforms, leveraging Illinois' record of corruption scandals—such as those involving subsequent governors—to promote and accountability in . He remained active in networks of former governors, including through the , where he supported initiatives enhancing state-level autonomy in areas like economic regulation and intergovernmental relations. These engagements reflected his commitment to governance grounded in verifiable outcomes and institutional integrity over short-term political gains.

Evolving Political Stances and Party Critiques

In the years following his governorship, Edgar increasingly criticized the Republican Party's shift toward what he described as , particularly under 's influence, arguing that it alienated moderate voters and hindered electoral success in states like . He stated in October 2024 that Republicans "are going nowhere as long as is around," emphasizing Trump's unsuitability as a leader who deviated from traditional GOP principles of governance and compromise. Edgar contrasted this with his own record of achieved through pragmatic negotiations, which he credited for stabilizing ' budget in the 1990s by prioritizing evidence-based outcomes over ideological purity. Edgar's opposition to Trump manifested in multiple cross-party endorsements, including support for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024, where he justified the decisions by citing the need for competent, non-populist leadership focused on empirical policy results rather than divisive rhetoric. In announcing his Harris endorsement on August 1, 2024, Edgar highlighted Trump's "extremism" as toxic to Republicans who valued the party's historical emphasis on civility and results-oriented reform, drawing from data on Illinois GOP losses tied to national polarization. He advocated returning to bipartisanship, as demonstrated in his administration's collaborations with Democrats on issues like education funding and deficit reduction, which yielded measurable improvements in state finances without relying on partisan gridlock. Critics from the right, including some GOP figures, viewed Edgar's endorsements as contributing to party dilution by legitimizing Democratic candidates and undermining conservative unity, potentially exacerbating Republican defeats in moderate-leaning districts. Nonetheless, Edgar maintained that his approach—rooted in voter data showing success for moderates in 1990s elections—offered a viable path forward, countering perceptions of intolerance toward proven by urging the party to reject unprincipled in favor of cross-aisle realism.

Later Years, Health Challenges, and Death

In February 2025, Edgar disclosed his diagnosis of metastatic , stating that he had been undergoing for several weeks while expressing optimism about his treatment despite the disease's severity. Despite the illness, he maintained public engagement, including critiques of the Republican Party's shift away from traditional principles of , , and fiscal restraint, which he contrasted with pre-2016 GOP norms emphasizing evidence-based over partisan extremes. Edgar died on September 14, 2025, at age 79 in , from complications arising from an adverse reaction to his cancer treatment during hospitalization. His body lay in state on September 19, 2025, in the Illinois State Capitol rotunda, allowing public viewing from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service held on September 20, 2025, at Central Baptist Church in drew bipartisan attendees who highlighted Edgar's fiscal discipline—earning him the moniker "Governor No" for vetoing excessive spending—as a core aspect of his record, alongside his and ability to bridge divides without personal aggrandizement.

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Private Interests

James Edgar married Brenda Smith on April 21, 1967. The couple raised two children, son and daughter , and were grandparents to five. Their marriage endured for 58 years, until Edgar's death in 2025. Edgar's private interests centered on family life and select personal pursuits, including historical reading that informed his appreciation for pragmatic governance traditions. He occasionally engaged in golf as a recreational activity. Post-governorship, he supported initiatives like the Edgar Fellows program, aimed at developing leadership skills among young professionals through education-focused seminars.

Enduring Impact on Illinois Governance

Edgar's administration achieved consistent budget surpluses through spending reductions exceeding $2.5 billion and avoidance of broad tax increases, fostering fiscal stability that supported Illinois' participation in the national economic expansion of the 1990s. These measures, implemented amid an inherited $1.4 billion deficit from 1991, prioritized payment of overdue bills and structural reforms over short-term revenue gimmicks, enabling private sector job retention and business expansion initiatives that aligned with broader growth trends. Causal analysis attributes this era's relative prosperity to such restraint, as balanced budgets reduced uncertainty for investors and avoided crowding out private investment, in contrast to deficit-financed expansions that later amplified Illinois' vulnerabilities. Post-Edgar governance under successive Democratic-led administrations, including those of and , reversed these gains, with state debt and unfunded pension liabilities escalating from approximately $17 billion in the mid-1990s to $139.7 billion by fiscal year 2023, driven by persistent structural spending imbalances and deferred contributions. While Edgar's 1995 pension funding plan aimed to amortize prior underfunding over 50 years, subsequent leaders exploited payment ramps and enacted benefit enhancements without corresponding revenue or cuts, exacerbating the crisis amid left-leaning policy emphases on expanded entitlements over fiscal discipline. This shift correlates with ' lag in national job growth metrics post-2000, underscoring how abandonment of surplus-driven prudence contributed to credit downgrades and . Edgar's approach exemplified moderate through bipartisan negotiations that sustained reforms without gridlock, influencing a governance model emphasizing empirical outcomes over ideological purity, though critics argue it facilitated the party's later rightward drift by prioritizing compromise. Empirical defenses of his record highlight scandal-free operations and economic metrics, such as state alignment with 1990s job gains, positioning him as ' most effective modern governor by standards of stability and avoidance of fiscal cliffs that plagued successors. His legacy underscores causal links between disciplined budgeting and long-term prosperity, a unmet in subsequent eras marked by deficit spirals and policy reversals.

References

  1. [1]
    Gov. Jim Edgar - National Governors Association
    Jim Edgar was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, and was raised in Charleston, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Eastern Illinois University.
  2. [2]
    [PDF] Jim Edgar BIO
    Edgar was elected governor in 1990 and re-elected by the widest plurality any incumbent Illinois chief executive has received, carrying 101 of the state's 102 ...
  3. [3]
    Restoring Fiscal Health - Jim Edgar
    Instead of raising taxes, the Governor charted a new fiscal course. In his two terms in office, the budget was balanced; spending was slashed by more than $2.5 ...
  4. [4]
    Early Years - Jim Edgar
    Jim Edgar was born on July 22, 1946 in Vinita, Oklahoma and was raised in Charleston, Illinois. The youngest of three boys, he was raised by his mother, Betty ...
  5. [5]
    Jim Edgar, 79, Popular Moderate Republican Governor of Illinois, Dies
    Sep 29, 2025 · Jim Edgar, a two-term Republican governor of Illinois during the 1990s who was praised for his moderation and bipartisanship, died on Sunday ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography<|separator|>
  6. [6]
    https://chicagobusiness.com/obituaries/jim-edgar-former-illinois-governor-dies-79
  7. [7]
    Cecil Edgar (1913-1953) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree
    Mar 10, 2023 · In the 1920 census Cecil (age 6) was the son of J Rue Edgar in Arcola, Douglas, Illinois. Cecil married Betty Moore on 10 August 1935.
  8. [8]
    ELIZABETH EDGAR, 74, MOTHER OF GOVERNOR - Chicago Tribune
    Sep 28, 1991 · Elizabeth ”Betty” Edgar was an active, longtime resident of Downstate Charleston, who, after her husband, Cecil, died in 1953, raised three ...
  9. [9]
    Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar shares story, advice to EIU community
    Nov 22, 2024 · Edgar arrived at EIU after spending his freshman year at Wabash College—an all-men's school located in Crawfordsville, Indiana, about an hour ...Missing: degree | Show results with:degree
  10. [10]
    Former Governor Edgar to Return to Alma Mater, Give Lecture
    He was named an Eastern Illinois University Distinguished Alumnus, the highest honor the Alumni Association can bestow upon a former student, in 1982. It was ...
  11. [11]
    Remembering Governor Edgar - Eastern Illinois University
    Sep 15, 2025 · He was named EIU's Distinguished Alumnus in 1982 and received an honorary degree in Public Service in 1999. In 2007, he and his wife Brenda ...
  12. [12]
    My Turn | 'Hello! Is this Theodore? This is Jim Edgar'
    Sep 23, 2025 · In turn, he told me about his own childhood growing up in central Illinois obsessed with history, developing a fascination with government in ...Missing: influences | Show results with:influences
  13. [13]
    History and politics
    Governor Edgar, who has a degree in history from Eastern Illinois University, shared his thoughts about growing up in Illinois, the legacy of state governors ...
  14. [14]
    Jim Edgar | The Institute of Politics at Harvard University
    He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1976 from the 53rd Legislative District. Between April 1979 and December 1980, he served as Director ...
  15. [15]
    [PDF] An Interview with Jim Edgar
    ... Illinois House, but won election for that seat in 1976. Shortly after his reelection in 1978, Governor Jim Thompson selected Edgar to be his legislative liaison ...
  16. [16]
    pg. 34- Illinois Issues, January, 1981
    Edgar, 34, has been Thompson's chief lobbyist with the General Assembly since March 1979. Edgar was in the middle of his second term in the Illinois House (R., ...
  17. [17]
    Secretary of State | Jim Edgar
    When then-Secretary of State Alan Dixon moved to the U.S. Senate, Edgar was appointed to fill the vacancy in early 1981. In 1982 and 1986, Edgar won the ...
  18. [18]
    Jim Edgar brought license plate production back to Illinois and to MRI
    Macon Resources has made Illinois' license plates since 1983, thanks to former Gov. and Secretary of State Jim Edgar.Missing: reforms modernization
  19. [19]
    ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE - Chicago Tribune
    Oct 26, 1986 · JIM EDGAR – REPUBLICAN. Incumbent ... The secretary`s police department can work toward containment of vehicle theft and odometer fraud.
  20. [20]
    Application of the Illinois Summary Suspension Law and ...
    The impetus to enact such a law in Illinois grew out of a proposal of the Illinois DUI Task Force on Drunk Driving, chaired by Secretary of State Jim Edgar.
  21. [21]
    Catalog Record: Illinois rules of the road for second...
    Office of Secretary of State. Language(s): English. Published: [Springfield] : Jim Edgar, Secretary of State, [1987]-. Subjects: Trucking > Trucking / Law and ...Missing: safety | Show results with:safety
  22. [22]
    Browse subject: Truck driving -- Law and legislation -- Illinois | The ...
    (Jim Edgar, Secretary of State, 1987), by Illinois. Office of Secretary of State (page images at HathiTrust). Filed under: Truck driving -- Law and ...
  23. [23]
    BOARD CERTIFIES RESULTS OF PRIMARY - Chicago Tribune
    Apr 10, 1990 · – Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Edgar beat challenger Steven Baer, 62.8 percent to 33.5 percent, with the third GOP candidate ...
  24. [24]
    Governor Years | Jim Edgar
    ... race against his Democratic opponent, Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan. In 1994, he defeated conservative challenger Jack Roeser in the Republican ...
  25. [25]
    1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Illinois
    Gubernatorial Candidate, Lt. Gubernatorial Candidate, Political Party, Popular Vote. Jim Edgar, Bob Kustra, Republican, 1,653,126, 50.75%. Neil F. Hartigan ...Missing: margin | Show results with:margin
  26. [26]
    The State of the State- Illinois Issues, November 1990
    Edgar's pledge of absolutely no tax increases for four years will present problems later in his term. Edgar says that he recognizes that problem and will ...
  27. [27]
    ABORTION RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS GIVING ENDORSEMENT TO ...
    Edgar said the abortion issue is important in his GOP primary campaign but predicted it will not be the determining factor. ”I take the conservative point of ...
  28. [28]
    HARTIGAN CLOSING IN ON EDGAR - Chicago Tribune
    Sep 9, 1990 · The race for Illinois governor has tightened into a neck-and-neck stretch drive, as Neil Hartigan has begun to pull together Democratic ...
  29. [29]
    HOW THE STATE GOT ITSELF INTO A BUDGET MESS
    Mar 10, 1991 · With the carefulness that has marked his early tenure, Gov. Jim Edgar has chosen to avoid apportioning blame in producing a budget that ...
  30. [30]
    The state of the State Phantoms of the budget for fiscal year '92
    Second, given the choice, state government will choose revenue measures, even those that involve smoke and mirrors, over spending cuts. General funds revenues ...
  31. [31]
    As Late Budgets Go, Illinois Has No Equal - CBS Pittsburgh
    Jul 3, 2016 · Jim Edgar found himself in an unsettling position as Illinois governor in 1991 when the state went 18 days without a budget. "We thought '91 ...
  32. [32]
    ILLINOIS WRAPS UP BUDGET WITHOUT GENERAL TAX HIKE
    Jul 19, 1991 · Jim Edgar (R) an important political victory. Final passage of the $25.6 billion budget occurred late tonight in the state Senate, leaving ...
  33. [33]
    Jim Edgar, former Illinois governor who guided state through fiscal ...
    Sep 15, 2025 · Jim Edgar, the two-term Republican credited with steering the state toward greater fiscal stability in the 1990s, has died. He was 79. Edgar's ...Missing: studies | Show results with:studies
  34. [34]
    The Edgar ramp - the 'reform' that unleashed Illinois' pension crisis
    Oct 27, 2015 · In 1994, Gov. Jim Edgar spearheaded a bipartisan pension bill he claimed would solve the state's then-$15 billion pension deficit.Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s
  35. [35]
    The Illinois pension disaster - Crain's Chicago Business
    Aug 10, 2015 · Jim Edgar as a 50-year program to stabilize the retirement systems. Edgar set a goal of having the systems 90 percent funded by 2045.
  36. [36]
    Former Governor Jim Edgar Weighs in on the Fiscal Crisis
    Mar 9, 2010 · Ten years ago, Illinois had a $1.5 billion surplus. Many credit former Republican Governor Jim Edgar for creating those bountiful state coffers.
  37. [37]
    EDGAR WARNS OF DEEPER BUDGET CUTS - Chicago Tribune
    Apr 10, 1991 · In addition, his fiscal 1992 budget plan calls for a reduction of $500 million in spending, primarily in social service programs. But Edgar told ...Missing: resolution | Show results with:resolution
  38. [38]
    [PDF] How to Win Illinois' Battle of the Budget - Joseph Bast
    The last time Illinois faced such a budget crisis, in 1991-1992, Governor Jim Edgar chose to cut appropriations by $273 million rather than support an income ...
  39. [39]
    EDGAR AGREES STATE IS ON A TIGHTROPE - Chicago Tribune
    Jul 20, 1991 · Jim Edgar on Friday called the state`s proposed $27 billion fiscal 1992 budget ”sound,” but he warned that the state will have to remain.Missing: deficit size
  40. [40]
    [PDF] Report on the 90% Funding Target of Public Act 88-0593
    94-0004 changes the funding plan created in 1994 by Public Act 88-0593 by setting the State contribution levels for FY 2006 and FY 2007, rather than ...
  41. [41]
    https://www.civicfed.org/sites/default/files/civicfed_220.pdf
  42. [42]
    Pension debt grows to $139.7 billion - Capitol News Illinois
    In 1994, then-Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican, pushed through legislation whereby the state would gradually increase its contributions over the next 50 years ...<|separator|>
  43. [43]
    Lessons from the Edgar plan: why defined benefits can't work
    Flaws of the defined benefit system are really at the core of the state's pension problems.
  44. [44]
    Is 90% Pension Funding the Right Target for Illinois? | Civic Federation
    Dec 7, 2016 · When the pension law was passed in August 1994, it was considered to be a reasonable plan to improve pension funding, given existing budgetary ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  45. [45]
    Flashback to 1994 reveals Edgar's ramp up of Illinois pension crisis
    Dec 18, 2018 · The Edgar Ramp was a 50-year funding schedule that was expected to get Illinois to 90 percent funding by 2045. Pensions were 55 percent ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  46. [46]
    Navigating Pension Reform in Illinois
    During Edgar's first term in office, he instituted a 50-year pension funding structure in recognition of previous underfunding of state pensions.Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s
  47. [47]
    Former Gov. Edgar's 'compromise' pension plan led to Illinois' fiscal ...
    Jun 9, 2016 · ... Edgar plan. In Illinois, the idea of “compromise” has become synonymous with “passing the buck.” Whether it was former governors Jim Edgar ...
  48. [48]
    Economic Development - Jim Edgar
    Governor Edgar saw to it that Illinois' economic development strategy focused on retaining existing jobs and helping small and large businesses thrive and ...Missing: vehicle | Show results with:vehicle
  49. [49]
    Human Services | Jim Edgar
    The Edgar administration was taking action to move public aid recipients to self-sufficiency. It ended benefits to single, able-bodied adults.
  50. [50]
    EDGAR SIGNS A STRICTER TRUTH-IN-SENTENCING LAW
    Aug 21, 1995 · It will require convicted felons to serve 85 percent of their sentence for such crimes as attempted first-degree murder, aggravated criminal ...Missing: reforms 1995-1999
  51. [51]
    Safeguarding the Communities - Jim Edgar
    As Governor Jim Edgar pledged to make Illinois a safer place by being smart as well as tough on crime. He led Illinois to pioneer background identification ...Missing: vehicle | Show results with:vehicle
  52. [52]
    EDGAR AND GOP REPEAL 1907 WORKER-INJURY LAW
    Feb 15, 1995 · Workers hurt after 11:21 a.m. Tuesday no longer can use Illinois' Structural Work Act of 1907 to sue for damages to compensate ...
  53. [53]
    DEREGULATION BILL WINS EDGAR'S OK - Chicago Tribune
    Dec 17, 1997 · Gov. Jim Edgar signed into law Tuesday a long-sought electricity deregulation bill that will bring a 15 percent rate cut to Commonwealth ...
  54. [54]
    Deregulation Ultimately Will Save Consumers Money - Newswise
    Nov 3, 1998 · In the wake of the Electric Service Customer Choice and Rate Relief Act signed by Gov. Jim Edgar last year, energy firms will come under the ...
  55. [55]
    AllPolitics - Text Of Edgar's Speech - Aug. 13, 1996 - CNN
    We have created an environment where small business can flourish. We downsized government. We cut taxes. We overhauled laws that enriched a few lawsuit-happy ...Missing: legislation | Show results with:legislation
  56. [56]
    ILLINOIS WELFARE REFORM IS RIDDLED WITH HOLES
    Feb 12, 1995 · Edgar has proposed to shift more than 1.1 million poor people into cost-saving, HMO-style health care by April 1. But the federal government has ...
  57. [57]
    BILL TO CUT WELFARE SENT TO EDGAR - Chicago Tribune
    Feb 17, 1995 · Edgar is expected to sign the welfare-reform bill into law. It passed the House on a 75-38 vote. Most immediately, the measure would limit and ...<|separator|>
  58. [58]
    The Edgar Fellows Program - IGPA
    GOVERNOR JIM EDGAR​​ He made hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts. He found ways to deliver services more efficiently and effectively, reducing the ...Missing: bureaucracy | Show results with:bureaucracy
  59. [59]
    The governor's budget: It's his story and he's sticking to it
    Edgar has asked for a $280 million cut in the department's budget. About $263 million of the reduction involves the transfer of responsibility for long-term ...Missing: stabilization | Show results with:stabilization
  60. [60]
    Edgar: Tax Hike Was Only First Step - CBS Chicago
    Jan 27, 2011 · But as WBBM Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger reports, Edgar says the tax hike is only the first step in fixing Illinois' financial mess.Missing: actions surcharge
  61. [61]
    Jim Edgar Enjoying Lavish Lifestyle From Pensions He Supported
    Jim Edgar must bear much of the blame for the present mess in Illinois' floundering government employee pension system, which is literally making pension ...
  62. [62]
    Jim Edgar: The Governor Who Proved Good Governance Could ...
    Sep 15, 2025 · The results spoke for themselves. By 1999, Illinois boasted a budget surplus, improved credit ratings, and something it hadn't enjoyed in years: ...
  63. [63]
    ABORTION BILL PUTS EDGAR ON THE SPOT - Chicago Tribune
    May 14, 1997 · With the passage Tuesday by the state Senate of a bill to outlaw a late-term abortion procedure, the legislature has put a prickly issue in ...
  64. [64]
    Abortion in Illinois: From outlawed herbs to cutthroat politics
    May 29, 2019 · The Parental Notice of Abortion Act is enacted over Gov. Jim Edgar's veto; the law is immediately stayed by courts, making its way to the ...
  65. [65]
    Prioritizing Education | Jim Edgar
    Jim Edgar knew the health of the economy and the ability of families to turn dreams into reality depended on the strength of the state's educational system.Missing: influences studies
  66. [66]
    Edgar Fellows Program continues Illinois governor's legacy ... - WQAD
    Sep 19, 2025 · The Edgar Fellows Program has trained more than 500 Illinois leaders, including Tony McCombie, Mike Halpin and Nikki Budzinski.
  67. [67]
    Edgar Fellows | Donations | Illinois
    Founded by Governor Jim Edgar in 2012, the Edgar Fellows program teaches leadership skills and stresses the importance of problem solving instead of ...
  68. [68]
    Jim Edgar | 38th Governor of Illinois
    Jim Edgar ran for Governor and won, becoming the 38th Governor of Illinois. He would go on to be considered one of the most respected and popular governors in ...Early Years · Edgar Record · Brenda Edgar · Edgar Fellows
  69. [69]
    Former Gov. Jim Edgar remembered for integrity at memorial
    Sep 20, 2025 · A bipartisan audience of more than 300 gathered in Springfield to remember former Gov. Jim Edgar, who died Sept. 14. He was praised for good ...Missing: advocacy | Show results with:advocacy
  70. [70]
    Jim Edgar's contributions to higher education, good government ...
    Sep 16, 2025 · Edgar believed Illinois should be led by people of character. His vision for a stronger Illinois will carry on through this innovative program.”.Missing: Eastern | Show results with:Eastern<|separator|>
  71. [71]
    Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar stands against Trump - Audacy
    Oct 26, 2024 · Former Gov. Jim Edgar says his fellow Illinois Republicans are going nowhere as long as Donald Trump is around.
  72. [72]
    Why Jim Edgar's bipartisan legacy stands out in today's politics - Axios
    Sep 15, 2025 · Edgar, a Republican who served as Illinois' governor from 1991 to 1999, died on Sept. 14.Missing: negotiations | Show results with:negotiations
  73. [73]
    Max Cotton on X: "Former IL GOP Gov. Jim Edgar endorses VP ...
    Aug 1, 2024 · Former IL GOP Gov. Jim Edgar endorses VP Harris. It's not the first time he's crossed party lines. Edgar endorsed President Biden in 2020.
  74. [74]
    'Republicans for Harris' launches with Illinois GOPers Jim Edgar ...
    Aug 4, 2024 · Adam Kinzinger and Joe Walsh. Vice President Harris' campaign said the “campaign within a campaign” will send GOP endorsers on the road, kick ...
  75. [75]
    Jim Edgar embodied the 'civility, compromise and compassion' he ...
    Neil Hartigan — in that race, with a boost from the National Abortion Rights Action League' ...Missing: stance | Show results with:stance<|control11|><|separator|>
  76. [76]
    For third time, former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar won't be voting for ...
    Aug 1, 2024 · Former Illinois Republican Governor, Jim Edgar, has announced he will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.
  77. [77]
    Edgar to Vote for Harris, says Pritzker "Qualified" to be VP, but Harris ...
    Aug 4, 2024 · Former Governor Jim Edgar, a Republican, is once again bucking his party and says he will vote for Democrat Kamala Harris for President in ...
  78. [78]
    Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
    Feb 24, 2025 · Jim Edgar announced in a statement Monday that he is battling pancreatic cancer. In the statement, Edgar, 78, said the cancer has spread as he ...Missing: 2024 | Show results with:2024<|separator|>
  79. [79]
    Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
    Feb 24, 2025 · Jim Edgar has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he said. Edgar, a Republican, served as the 38th governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999.Missing: 2024 | Show results with:2024
  80. [80]
    Rich Miller: Jim Edgar embodied the 'civility, compromise and ...
    Sep 19, 2025 · "Edgar spoke out frequently against the rightward drift of his beloved Republican Party, eventually parting ways with the GOP because of ...
  81. [81]
    Former Gov. Jim Edgar on Illinois Republicans, former ... - YouTube
    Nov 5, 2024 · Former Gov. Edgar says in Illinois, Republicans are going nowhere as long as Donald Trump is around.Missing: criticism | Show results with:criticism
  82. [82]
    Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar dies at 79 - POLITICO
    Sep 14, 2025 · It wasn't always pretty how it was done, but we got a lot done,” he said of his two terms in office.Missing: procurement | Show results with:procurement
  83. [83]
    Jim Edgar, Illinois' 1990s-era moderate GOP governor, dies at 79
    Sep 14, 2025 · Jim Edgar, Illinois' 38th governor who served from 1991 to 1999, died Sunday after disclosing an aggressive cancer diagnosis earlier this year.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  84. [84]
    Late former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar lies in state at State Capitol ...
    Sep 19, 2025 · He died Sunday at the age of 79 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch. On Friday, ...
  85. [85]
    Former Gov. Jim Edgar lies in state at the Illinois Capitol
    Former Gov. Jim Edgar lies in state in the Illinois Capitol rotunda on Sept. 19, 2025. Edgar's memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Central ...Missing: lay | Show results with:lay
  86. [86]
    RICH MILLER: Jim Edgar crafted blueprint for Illinois leadership
    Sep 20, 2025 · Jim Edgar reshaped Illinois politics by winning over suburban women and staying true to his insistence that the state live within its means.Missing: studies | Show results with:studies<|control11|><|separator|>
  87. [87]
    Oral History Interview - Governor Jim Edgar Project Brenda Edgar
    Married on April 21, 1967, she raised two children while helping her husband with his political career, first as Secretary of State from 1981-1991 and then as ...
  88. [88]
    Jim Edgar Obituary - Springfield, IL - Dignity Memorial
    Sep 14, 2025 · Celebrate the life of Jim Edgar, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Butler Funeral Home & Cremation ...
  89. [89]
    The state of the State The GAAP difference
    When Gov. Jim Edgar briefed reporters on his fiscal year 1993 budget in April, he said he had "inherited" a $1.4 billion fiscal year 1991 deficit under ...
  90. [90]
    Underachiever: Illinois lags nation in jobs, but growth potential is high
    Feb 12, 2024 · 2023 data on Illinois' labor market gives cause for both concern and hope as state emerges from pandemic job losses.
  91. [91]
    Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a Popular Two-Term Republican ...
    Sep 14, 2025 · The moderate Republican easily won reelection, including winning heavily Democratic Cook County, where Chicago is located.