Gov. Jim Edgar R.I.P.

Via JimEdgar.com

Jim Edgar was this state's 38th Governor. He died on Sunday, earlier this year he had announced that he had prostate cancer. He was undergoing treatment and a press release from him family stated that he had passed away from complications related to treatment.

Edgar was Governor from 1991 to 1999. He had succeeded the late Jim Thompson and was succeeded by the late George Ryan.

From what I recalled Gov. Edgar was the last statewide Republican candidate to win Cook County which he had done in 1994 and that proved to be a wave year. He benefited from the discord out of Washington, as it turned out in 1994 the Republicans were destined to take control of both houses of Congress.

Here's an example of his political ads which were show as part of Edgar's oral history [VIDEO]

Here's a news report from WGN-TV about the former Governor's death [VIDEO]

I remember him from most of my elementary through high school years. I remember him as very effective governor. In recent years he had been very critical of the direction of the Republican Party - especially Trumpism. He was known for supporting Kamala Harris for President just last year.

He may even have gone on record and says that the Illinois Republican Party might continue to suffer as long as President Trump remains in the public eye.

As you might see in the WGN report, Edgar was known as a moderate that's fiscally conservative. Edgar and some other Republican governors such as Jim Thompson were known as pro-choice and likely a dying breed of Republican during an era of Roe vs. Wade which was overturned in the last few years.

Remember George Ryan, Illinois - IL's 39th Governor had passed away in May of this year. So it's been about four months since a former Illinois Governor has passed away. Jim Thompson had passed away during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

That leaves as former governors  convicted felon Rod Blagojevich, Patrick J. Quinn, and Bruce Rauner - who was the last Republican governor of Illinois to date. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is hoping to successfully win a third term in 2026.

From the Illinois Channel, one of the final interviews that Gov. Edgar gave [VIDEO]

UPDATED (Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025): Funeral services for former Gov. Edgar has just passed this weekend. He was lying in state at the Illinois state capitol Friday night. You will see this video via BlueRoomStream. [VIDEO]

Also from ABC 7 Chicago or WLS-TV here's his memorial service held in Springfield. [VIDEO]

Being very young during his two-term eight year governorship, this is a true throwback. May he rest in peace, future governors of Illinois would be well served by studying his administration. 👍