Jim Edgar

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James Edgar (born July 22, 1946, Vinita, Oklahoma) is an American politician who was the Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999.

Edgar was born in Vinita, Oklahoma and was raised in Charleston, Illinois. He graduated from Charleston High School and Eastern Illinois University, also in Charleston. A Republican, he was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives between 1977 and 1979. Five months after Edgar's 1978 reelection to the Illinois House (April 1979), Governor Jim Thompson named him his legislative liaison. Two years later, when then-Secretary of State Alan Dixon moved to the U.S. Senate, Thompson named Edgar to fill the vacancy in early 1981. In 1982 and 1986, Edgar won the office on his own and was the secretary of state until 1991.

In 1990, Edgar won the first of his two terms as governor, winning the Republican primary against Steve Baer, and then elected in a close race against his Democratic opponent, Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan. In 1994, he defeated Conservative challenger Jack Roeser in the Republican primary, and was reelected by a wide margin in the General election against Democratic opponent, state comptroller and former state senator Dawn Clark Netsch.

In the elections of 1992 and 1994, the Republicans succeeded in capturing both houses of the state legislature and all statewide offices, putting Edgar in a very strong political position. He advocated increases in funding for education along with cuts in government employment, spending and welfare programs. Due to his moderate views that appealed to Republicans and Democrats alike, he has been considered one of the most respected and popular governors in Illinois history, having been reelected by a large margin and leaving office with approval ratings well over 60%.

By the time he left office in January 1999, Governor Edgar had eliminated the backlog in payments of the state's bills, given the state a surplus and reduced the size of state government. He had also fought for and won passage of historic legislation on the way Illinois schools are funded and had overhauled the state's child welfare system.

Despite his overwhelming popularity, two incidents during his second term served to taint Edgar's tenure in office. During his second term, the relationship between his re-election campaign and Management Systems of Illinois (MSI) came under federal scrutiny. Apparently, MSI, who had served as Edgar largest campaign contributor, was granted a "sweetheart contract" that cost the people of Illinois an estimated $20 million in fraudulent overcharges. Eventually, a number of both private citizens and state employees were convicted in federal court and sent to prison for their involvement in what had come to be known as the "MSI Scandal". Edgar was not charged for any crimes, but the incident tainted his administration. New York Times, 7/30/1997, 8/17/1997

The second incident also occurred during his second term. While the country, as a whole, was learning to treat returning veterans better than they had been treated during and following the unpopular Vietnam War, Edgar had personally spearheaded efforts to deny veterans special consideration for state employment. On veterans issues, Edgar proved to be out of touch with both the state and national mood toward veterans following the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Ultimately, the issue was resolved by the Supreme Court of Illinois, who, in Denton v Civil Service Commission (1996), ruled in favor of the veterans.

When U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald announced in spring 2003 that he would not run for re-election in 2004, the Bush administration approached Edgar about running for the seat. Due to his overwhelming popularity that still exists today, Edgar was seen as a very formidable Senate candidate.

Edgar seemed likely to enter the race, but he suddenly announced he wouldn't seek the seat, saying instead that he was giving his wife an early Mother's Day gift. His medical problems (he had recently undergone heart surgery) were also cited. The Senate seat eventually went to Democrat Barack Obama.

After months of speculation that he was once again considering getting back into politics, Jim Edgar announced on September 30, 2005 at a press conference that he would not challenge Governor Rod Blagojevich in 2006. Tearfully, Edgar said that he has reached the end of his political career.

The Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, near Virginia, Illinois, is named in Edgar's honor.

Edgar currently serves as a distingushed fellow of the Institute of Government & Public Affairs at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois.

Preceded by James R. Thompson	Governor of Illinois 1991-1999	Succeeded by George H. Ryan
Preceded by Alan Dixon	Secretary of State of Illinois 1981-1991	Succeeded by George H. Ryan