Former Illinois governor Jim Edgar dies at 79 from cancer complications

In the United States, specifically Illinois, former governor Jim Edgar passed away at the age of 79 due to complications from his treatment for pancreatic cancer. Edgar's family announced his death in a statement, expressing gratitude for the support they received during his illness. Edgar's political career began as a state legislator and he later served as Illinois Secretary of State for a decade before being elected governor in 1990. During his tenure, he was recognized for stabilizing the state's finances in the 1990s, despite challenges like a recession and opposition from various interest groups. As a moderate Republican, he managed to win reelection easily, even securing votes in heavily Democratic areas like Cook County, which encompasses Chicago. Despite his popularity, Edgar made the surprising decision not to run for a third term in 1997, during a time when he was favored to win. After concluding his governorship, he took on various roles, including teaching and serving as president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. Edgar was known for his efforts to address significant financial issues, including pushing for a permanent income tax surcharge to guarantee funding for public schools. Over the years, he remained a respected figure in Republican circles, although he expressed unease with the party's shift to more extreme positions, notably not supporting Donald Trump's presidency and joining a campaign to endorse Kamala Harris's presidential bid in the previous year. Upon hearing of Edgar's passing, current Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that flags would be flown at half-staff in his honor. Pritzker highlighted Edgar's values of honesty and integrity and urged others to embody those principles. Funeral arrangements are expected to be shared soon by Edgar's family, reflecting on the legacy and contributions of a man who played a significant role in Illinois politics during a critical period.