Jim Edgar, 38th Governor of Illinois from 1991-1999, died on September 14, 2025, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“Governor Jim Edgar was sworn into office amid dramatic fiscal challenges, and he turned Illinois onto a much stronger path,” State Senator Arellano, Jr said. “Had governors from both parties continued to follow that path after him, Illinois would be in a much stronger financial path. Illinoisians would have more effective, and less expensive, state government.”
Edgar, 79, was a titan of Illinois and Republican politics who dedicated his life to public service. Governor Jim Edgar is heralded for his notable achievements and dedication to bipartisanship solutions. Tackling the state budget deficit, reforms in education, welfare, child protection, and strong leadership during the Great Flood of 1993 are part of his enduring public service legacy.
Beginning as a legislative intern for the Illinois General Assembly, Edgar worked his way through the state government as an Illinois State Representative and Illinois Secretary of State prior to becoming governor in 1990.
After public service, Governor Edgar was involved in public advocacy with programs such as The Jim Edgar Fellow Program, a fellowship that trains emerging public policy leaders to work beyond boundaries to solve the state’s major challenges. State Senator Li Arellano, Jr attended and graduated from the Edgar Fellows Class of 2024.
Visitation services honoring the former governor were held on September 19, at the Illinois State Capitol, followed by memorial services on Saturday.