Tributes From Across the Political Spectrum for Gov. Jim Edgar
Gov. Jim Edgar
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Tributes from across the political spectrum have been coming in for Gov. Jim Edgar, who passed away Sunday.
Fmr. Sen. Darren Bailey
“Please join Cindy and me in keeping the family of Governor Jim Edgar in your prayers. While we certainly found ourselves on opposite sides of issues from time to time, I have always had a tremendous respect for the decades of public service he gave to the people of Illinois.
From his time as Secretary of State to his two terms as Governor, Jim Edgar led with a steady hand and a deep commitment to the institutions of our state. He was a man of integrity and strong moral character who dedicated his career to public service. His contributions to Illinois will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of loss. We are grateful for his years of leadership and the example of service he leaves behind.”
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield)
“Governor Edgar was a mentor, true public servant, and dear friend. He led Illinois with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the people of our state.
“As a graduate of the University of Illinois’ Edgar Fellows program, I had the privilege of seeing firsthand how Governor Edgar brought people together. He had a rare gift for bridging divides, encouraging voices from all perspectives, and helping us discover common ground on even the most difficult issues.
“Governor Edgar was a voice of reason, a champion of civility, and an unwavering advocate for collaboration. In today’s era of division and political turmoil, his example of steady leadership and his voice of wisdom will be profoundly missed.
“My thoughts are with his wonderful family, especially Brenda, Brad and Elizabeth, along with our entire state as we mourn his passing and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
Senate GOP Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove)
"I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. His legacy of common sense, bipartisan leadership will continue on through his many accomplishments here in Illinois."
Fmr. Sen. Kirk Dillard
“Governor Jim Edgar was a very decent man. A fabulous public servant who loved deeply his family and Illinois. An extremely competent leader as Governor and Sec’ty of State. His spirit will continue thru the 500 Edgar Fellows he taught at the University of Illinois in Champaign stressing bi-partisan service and problem solving. In a world of polarized political times, everyone should step back and take a lesson from Jim Edgar's legacy of compassion, decency, and cooperative collaboration. His passing is a major loss for the Land of Lincoln.”
Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea
“Governor Jim Edgar was a true public servant in every sense of the word. He led Illinois with compassion, integrity and respect for all viewpoints. Although organized labor did not always see eye to eye with the Governor, he always listened and worked to find agreement on both sides of the aisle to support Illinois’ working families.
He was a good man who cared about the future of our state, and we are grateful for his leadership. Governor Edgar will be missed, and our thoughts are with his family as we mourn this tremendous loss.”
State Treasurer Mike Frerichs
Gov. Edgar was a gentleman and a statesman. He broke with his party when he felt it was right for the state. He didn’t put partisanship above the state.
He bravely faced health challenges and did not stop serving Illinois once his time in office ended. Gov. Edgar worked to bring people together across the aisle to learn about policy and share good ideas.
I was honored to be part of the inaugural class of Edgar Fellows in 2012. We related to each other as Downstaters. He was always open to discussing and offering advice or help, and I am grateful for that and his service to Illinois.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
“Jim Edgar was an amazing man and an incredible public servant. More importantly, he was a great friend and advisor to me. His leadership will be missed, his friendship even more so. My family and I send our deepest condolences to his family.
Jim spoke frequently about the importance of the ‘Three C’s’: Civility, Compromise and Compassion – words that resonate more than ever today. Together, he believed they served as the foundation of a healthy democracy, knowing that as Americans, we work best when we collaborate and work out our differences, show compassion toward those who need help, and treat one another with respect and dignity. For Jim, compromise was not surrender; compassion was not weakness; and civility was not placation. Together, these principles give us the space to stand firm in our beliefs and to speak passionately without being disrespected, dehumanized or attacked.
As we mourn his death, we can honor Jim by choosing to believe that - regardless of our differences - a better world is possible through kindness. While the need for a civil, a collaborative and a compassionate political climate is more important than ever with today’s polarizing politics – the duty and responsibility of restoring the Three Cs begins with each one of us. “
Shirley & Michael Madigan
“Shirley and our family express our condolences upon Jim Edgar’s passing.
We send sympathy and prayers to Brenda, Brad and Elizabeth.
We worked with Jim; Shirley as the Chair of the Arts Council, I as the Speaker.
We found him to be at times conservative, but generally moderate, as when as a Republican he supported the pro-choice position concerning reproductive rights.
We worked with him to find common ground among competing i
nterests in developing the State budget, where he was always supportive of the Arts Council.
We found him to always be respectful of others; personally and with regard to governmental and political views.
Illinois is a much better place because of Jim Edgar
Shirley and I have lost a good friend.”
Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield)
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Edgar. As one of our greatest governors, he increased adoptions of foster children by 500 percent, reformed welfare, and heightened sentences for murderers and sex offenders. I first met him when I was a young man while my mother was serving as his director of personnel at the Secretary of State’s Office. Governor Edgar is one of the people that inspired me to enter into public service. He worked tirelessly to encourage the next generation of leaders and was always available to speak with the high school students taking part in my Youth Advisory Council. I was honored to be an Edgar Fellow. My family and I send our deepest condolences to Brenda Edgar and the entire Edgar family.”
House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna)
“It is with deep sadness that I join Illinoisans in mourning the passing of Governor Jim Edgar. Governor Edgar was a dedicated public servant who led with independence, humility, and a genuine commitment to bringing people together.
“Throughout his distinguished career, he worked tirelessly to build bridges across party lines, strengthen Illinois’ fiscal foundation, and put the needs of our citizens ahead of politics. His steady leadership and principled example earned respect from Republicans and Democrats alike.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Brenda, his family, and all who loved and admired him.
“May he rest in peace!”
Gov. JB Pritzker
“MK and I are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Governor Jim Edgar. Governor Edgar was a model public servant, a devoted father and husband, and an honest and honorable man.
I was lucky enough to consider him a friend and mentor and have found myself drawing from his words of wisdom on countless occasions. His commitment to reaching across the aisle in service of the people of Illinois undeniably made our state better.
Now more than ever, we should channel that spirit and resolve to live as Governor Edgar did: with honesty, integrity, and an enduring respect for all.
He will live on in the incalculable number of lives he touched and in the stronger institutions he helped build. 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.”
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton
“Former Governor Jim Edgar was a man of principle and a passionately dedicated civil servant. He saw past political divides and emphasized the importance of unity in leadership by making a point to always extend his hand across the aisle. He was practical, gave great advice, and did everything he could to build up the next generation of future leaders so that Illinois can continue to grow.
I was part of the 2016 Edgar Fellows cohort, a program developed by Governor Edgar to strengthen Illinois’ future by preparing young leaders for the world ahead. Together, we worked to embody some of the tenets that made Governor Edgar such a strong leader: listen to understand, speak to be understood, and operate in a way that makes clear disagreements do not have to be disrespectful. When he invited me to become a member of the Edgar Fellows Advisory Board, I was honored to accept. Now, I have the privilege of sharing his steady perspective and deep care with future leaders.
Today, I send my deepest condolences to the love of his life, Brenda, and their entire family. His legacy is one of lasting impact.”
House Speaker Chris Welch
“Some people run for office to be something, and some people run for office to DO something.”
“Illinois is grateful to Governor Jim Edgar for doing something good during his two terms in office. He restored credibility to our state government, and he was always a true statesman who worked across the aisle with both parties. I could not be more proud to call myself an Edgar Fellow.
“With the passing of Gov. Edgar earlier today, we lost a good man, a good friend and a damn good governor. May his memory be a blessing.”
