Jim Edgar
James Robert "Jim" Edgar (July 22, 1946 – September 14, 2025) was an American Republican politician. He was Governor of Illinois from January 1991 through January 1999. He was the Illinois Secretary of State from January 1981 through January 1991.
Jim Edgar | |
|---|---|
 Edgar in 2013 | |
| 38th Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 14, 1991 – January 11, 1999 | |
| Lieutenant | Bob Kustra |
| Preceded by | James R. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | George Ryan |
| 35th Illinois Secretary of State | |
| In office January 12, 1981 – January 14, 1991 | |
| Governor | James R. Thompson |
| Preceded by | Alan J. Dixon |
| Succeeded by | George Ryan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Robert Edgar July 22, 1946 Vinita, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 2025 (aged 79) Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Brenda Smith |
| Alma mater | Wabash College Eastern Illinois University |
| Profession | Politician |
Edgar was a very popular governor. Even though Illinois is a Democratic state, he won in landslides as a Republican. He retired with high approval ratings.
Edgar was born on July 22, 1946 in Vinita, Oklahoma.[1] He was raised in Charleston, Illinois. Edgar studied at Wabash College and at Eastern Illinois University. He is married to Brenda Smith.
In February 2025, Edgar was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.[2] He died from problems caused by the disease on September 14, 2025 at a hospital in Springfield, Illinois at the age of 79.[3]
Jim Edgar Media
Portrait of State Representative Jim Edgar, future Governor of Illinois
Illinois Secretary of State Edgar c. 1981
Jim Edgar Project Panda (cropped)
Illinois Secretary of State Edgar, c. 1987
Film strips capturing an Edgar campaign event featuring President George H. W. Bush
1990 Illinois gubernatorial election results. Edgar won 50.75% to 48.17%
President Clinton greets Governor Jim Edgar and First Lady of Illinois Brenda Edgar. Photographed by Barbara Kinney on January 31, 1993.
Edgar (second from right) and other governors watch President Bill Clinton address the winter meeting of the National Governors Association in February 1993
Edgar speaks with President Bill Clinton during a meeting held for Midwestern governors of states affected by flooding in July 1993
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References
- ↑ Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. Governor's InformationNational Governors Association. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
- ↑ Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (February 24, 2025)ABC Chicago. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
- ↑ Ahern, Mary Ann (September 14, 2025). "Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar dies at age 79". WMAQ-TV. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/former-illinois-gov-jim-edgar-dies-at-age-79/3823866/. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
Other websites
- Gov. Edgar reacts to the allegations against Gov. Rod Blagojevich Archived 2008-12-18 at the Wayback Machine – link to speech, op-ed, and interview about the 2008–2009 Blagojevich scandal; from the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs
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