Former Governor Jim Edgar leaves a legacy of bipartisan craft throughout the State of Illinois, with a start in Vermilion County. Local present and past leaders all say he put the people’s needs first.
Jim Edgar served as the 38th Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999. He died following a diagnosis of cancer at 79 on Sunday.
Jeanie Cooke, former administrative assistant to Rep. Bill Black, said working with both Black and Edgar served her well in her career.
“I learned to be a very good listener to the needs of the people,’’ Cooke said. “Whether it was in business or personal life. Listening was the most important thing you do.”
Cooke added Edgar valued people’s time as well as their concerns.
“You made a phone call, and here he came,” Cooke said.
And this was in the 1990s, so there were no cell phones to send an immediate email.
“What a remarkable human being and a wonderful legislator who always put the good of the people he served at the highest level,” Cooke added.
Brandun Schweizer, Illinois State Representative for the 104th District, said Edgar’s integrity was unmatched.
“It is definitely a loss for our state. Governor Edgar reminded us what public service is all about: it’s about working to find solutions for everyone,’’ Schweizer said. “I personally believe he led with integrity and worked across the aisle to keep Illinois going forward.”
Schweizer said he just graduated from the Edgar Fellows Program this year. During this time, Edgar was dealing with cancer treatments, but was still committed to service.
“He leaves a legacy here in Illinois,’’ he said. “I am happy I actually got to meet him, and I look forward to carrying his leadership and bipartisan statesmanship forward.”
Many local leaders and politicians stated that Edgar’s best attributes were his ability to work across the aisle and get things done for the people.
As for recent legislation, Schweitzer said, “easiest one I can think of is the Mahomet Aquifer Bill, which is pretty local to central Illinois. It was definitely a bipartisan fashion, with Senator Chapin Rose, Rep. Aaron Ammons, and me — we came together on a bill, and made it work so the Mahomet Aquifer is actually carved out of the carbon sequestration.”
Former Vermilion County auditor Erika Ramsey, who was also part of the Edgar Fellows Program, said Edgar was very personable.
“Everyone said out to me and in the program — he’d get to know you beforehand,’’ Ramsey said. “He would research each of the people who came into the program, so he knew a lot about you before you even got there.”
At the time, Ramsey said she was pregnant with her first child and Edgar made sure she was always okay during the program.
“I was pregnant and due the following week, so I didn’t even think I could do the program,’’ Ramsey added. “Every day he would come and check on me — he was so worried I was going to go into labor every day.”
Ramsey added Edgar showed up for the entire program, all eight hours.
“When I was there, he sat through the whole program,’’ she said. “A lot of people commented thinking he would just go in and open it and leave… and he sat there the whole time and listened along with us.”
Many other local leaders and politicians in Vermilion County shared their thoughts on Edgar’s passing on social media.
Danville Alderwoman Tricia Teague posted on her Facebook,”In a world that is becoming darkened by its political divisiveness, Governor Jim Edgar was a beacon of light. I had the privilege of being in the 2025 class of Edgar Fellows last month, unaware that we would be the last class to be in his presence.”
Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. shared on his Facebook.
“I had the great pleasure of working with and learning from him in two different capacities. The first was as a Michael J. Curry Intern in the Summer of 1998 and the second was as an Edgar Fellow in 2021. In addition to being incredibly intelligent, hardworking, diplomatic, and kind, he was willing to work across the aisle and engage people whose opinions differed from his for the greater good. That’s something we can all learn from, especially right now. He was an incredible leader & a beloved mentor who will be greatly missed. To Mrs. Edgar, his family, & many friends, our hearts & prayers are with you.”