Details on memorial services for former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar were released Tuesday as an obituary was published, describing the late politician as “a leader who cared, not just about results, but about people.”
Edgar’s body is expected to lie in state Friday in the Rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol Building. Visitors can pay their respects from 3:30 – 7 p.m., with a memorial book available to sign.
Services for Edgar will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Central Baptist Church in Springfield. Those services will be www.blueroomstream.com.
Edgar, who served two terms as Illinois’ governor in the 1990s, passed away Sunday at the age of 79 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
“It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved husband, father and grandfather Jim Edgar passed away this morning in Springfield from complications related to treatment for pancreatic cancer,” a family statement read. “We are deeply grateful for the love, support and kindness so many have shown to Jim and our family over these last several months.”
Edgar was born in 1946 in Oklahoma and was raised in Charleston, Illinois. He attended school at Eastern Illinois University, where he was elected student body president, according to his website.
Edgar was first elected to the Illinois House in 1976, and was named former Gov. Jim Thompson’s legislative director in 1979. He was then appointed to serve as Secretary of State in 1981, and won reelection twice to the position.
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During his tenure in office he had pushed for Illinois to adopt stricter laws against drunk driving, including lowering the Blood Alcohol Content limit to 0.10, and had advocated for the national drinking age to be set at 21, according to his website.
When Thompson opted not to run for reelection in 1990, Edgar announced his candidacy and after winning a contested primary defeated Democratic candidate Neil Hartigan to win the governorship.
“Jim Edgar believed public office was a call to serve. He didn’t seek popularity, instead he earned it by standing for what was right, even when it was hard. Known for his honesty and thoughtful leadership, he brought people together across political lines and worked to make government work better for everyone,” his obituary read. “He listened carefully, made tough decisions, and led by example.”
During his tenure as governor, Edgar pushed for caps on property taxes for Illinois homeowners and paid down billions in debt as he addressed significant budget deficits, according to his website.
Edgar chose not to run for reelection in the 1998 governor’s race, and has served on a wide variety of boards and in different charitable organizations, including as the president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.
“He leaves behind a legacy of decency. His family is grateful for his example of how to lead with integrity, how to listen to all sides, and how to care for others with grace and courage,” his obit stated.