Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar died on Sunday at the age of 79. His family announced his death after Edgar’s battle with pancreatic cancer.
The former governor was born on July 22, 1946, in Vinita, Oklahoma, but grew up in Charleston, Illinois. He attended Eastern Illinois University, where he served as student body president before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1968.
That same year, Edgar began his career in politics, serving as a legislative intern with the staff of Illinois Senate President Pro Tempore William Russell Arrington. In 1974, Edgar unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, then ran again and won in 1976. Edgar was reelected in 1978.
In April 1979, then-Gov. Jim Thompson named Edgar his legislative director, and in 1981 Edgar became the 35th Illinois secretary of state, serving until he became governor in 1991.
Edgar served as governor for two terms from 1991-1999, with his popularity transcending partisan politics. In 1994, he won 101 of the state’s 102 counties — including Cook County.
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“I was lucky enough to consider him a friend and mentor and have found myself drawing from his words of wisdom on countless occasions,” wrote Gov. JB Pritzker in an online statement. “His commitment to reaching across the aisle in service of the people of Illinois undeniably made our state better.”
Other notable tributes to the politician came from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and former Illinois State Sen. Darren Bailey.
“I offer my sincere condolences to the family of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar as we mourn his passing,” Johnson wrote in a social media post. “Governor Edgar’s legacy of public service, bipartisanship, and a deep care for the people of Illinois will ripple for generations.”
Edgar publicly announced his diagnosis in a February statement, in which he expressed gratitude for everyone who offered their prayers and support.
“He will live on in the incalculable number of lives he touched and in the stronger institutions he helped build,” Pritzker wrote. “To honor his legacy, I will direct flags across Illinois to half-staff. My thoughts are with Brenda, Brad, Elizabeth, and his entire family. May his memory be a blessing.”
Edgar is survived by his wife, Brenda, and children, Brad and Elizabeth.
