Philip Habel’s political science students listened to their lecture as they do every Tuesday morning in Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Dr. However, there was something different from their usual class – Former Governor of Illinois Jim R. Edgar was leading the discussion.

Jim Edgar, governor of Illinois from 1990 to 1998, served as a guest lecturer Tuesday. He spoke of his experience as governor, while offering political advice to students.

“Being governor in the state of Illinois in the 1990s … I think was probably the best job in American politics,” Edgar said standing before the class.

Edgar said because there was a democratic congress for Clinton’s first term, and republican congress for his second, a lot of changes didn’t happen in the 90s.

“(Therefore) most domestic policy in the 90s was dealt with at state level and that made state government to be a very exciting and innovating place to be,” Edgar said.

“There’s a need to get real life experience in the course,” said Philip Habel, a visiting lecturer in political science, who invited Edgar to speak. “I wanted someone who wasn’t going to reflect their political values on the class, but rather someone who could speak from experience. Here’s someone not currently running for office, but in the 1990s was a big part of Illinois politics.”

Edgar started out in the state legislature for Charleston, Ill., and moved to Springfield when Governor James Thompson asked him to work as the head of his legislative office.

“Oh, well your political career is over,” Edgar said people told him after he gave up his elected position for an appointed one.

However, years later there was a spot open for secretary of state and people were surprised when Governor Thompson named him – a 34-year-old legislative assistant – as a candidate.

“That was my big break,” Edgar said. “So instead of being an unknown representative from Charleston, I was a 10-year veteran as secretary of state.”

He said his governorship was jeopardized in 1990 when President Bush announced he wasn’t going to raise taxes, but had to anyway. Edgar said he began to slip in the polls because the comment hurt the Republican Party’s credibility.

“I was devastated,” Edgar said. “Here I had worked all of my life to get to this point and I was so close and here at the last minute … victory had been snatched away from me.”

Things turned around and Edgar won.

The defining issue was dealing with the temporary increase of income taxes, Edgar said. After Edgar announced he wanted to keep it, his opponent said he would get rid of the tax.

Since people opposed the tax, Edgar said he reasoned with the people. He asked if they would elect a man who promises something and can’t live up to it or trust a man who is willing to tell the truth of what he will do once in office.

“(In Illinois), we are a lot more concerned with personality and character,” Edgar said. “In the end, that’s why I won.”

Edgar said being governor was a stressful, but a worthwhile experience.

During his first term, the state was bankrupt and in a recession.

“But when you have tough times in government, that’s when you see the most change,” Edgar said.

Edgar said he had to eliminate a lot of programs and jobs in his first term because of the budget. He said Mayor Richard Daley often referred to him as “Governor No.”

He said when he cut the welfare for able-bodied people and replaced it with a job-training program; advisers said there would be a riot.

However, Edgar said one of the most gratifying experiences he had as governor was having a welfare recipient thank him for eliminating that program because he now has a job to support his daughter.

“Do you have any campaign suggestions for even small time elections?” asked Taleb Masri, freshman in LAS.

“Be yourself,” Edgar answered.

He said people want to feel their leaders are being honest with them and that they are doing their best.

“I’m going to take his advice,” said Masri, who thought the former governor’s response was helpful since he had an election Tuesday with his fraternity.

“I want to make students a little more aware of the political process and peak their interest,” Edgar said after the lecture.

Edgar said he tries to come to as many classes as he can since he works with the University’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs.

“I am very optimistic about the future because I find that students are very informed, concerned and civic minded,” Edgar said. “That bulges well for the future.”

Habel said he hopes that Edgar’s appearance helps students feel less removed from politics.

“We study politics, but politics is a real thing and is a part of life,” Habel said. “Here’s a person who’s been there and has stories.”