Latest news with #JimEdgar
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former Governor Jim Edgar honored with dedication at the Illinois State Library
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — A room on the first floor of the Illinois State Library will now be named after former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias officially dedicated the Jim Edgar Reading Room on Wednesday. Edgar revealed in February that he has Pancreatic Cancer. The former Governor served from 1991-1999, and he also served as Secretary of State prior. Edgar, a Republican, has continued to foster bipartisan alliances through his Edgar Fellows program. Policy leaders from all over the state — from both sides of the aisle and from outside organizations — gather for lessons in statesmanship and grow relationships outside of the tensions of the capitol. 'Libraries are the pillar of every single community in Illinois, rich or poor, rural or urban,' Giannoulias said. 'And for Governor Edgar, it was all about making that knowledge more accessible and offering a public space to foster a love for reading and intellectual growth.' The honor is particularly fitting for Edgar. Both because he made supporting libraries a big part of his time in office, and because he oversaw the construction of the State Library when he was serving as Secretary of State. 'The most important thing I want to tell you today make use of this beautiful building,' Edgar said. 'This building ought to be libraries are only good if people are in them. That's what a library is about, people. And we need to have people in this library all the time.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
John T. Shaw: Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar exemplifies courage, candor and stewardship
When Jim Edgar first ran for governor of Illinois, he faced a dilemma that has haunted and hounded politicians since the dawn of time. Should he do the easy but wrong thing or the hard but right thing? History shows that far more leaders have opted for the former than the latter. Specifically, Edgar was in a tough gubernatorial campaign in 1990 with popular Democratic Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan. A central issue was whether a temporary income tax surcharge that had been approved several years earlier should be extended. Nearly everyone in state government was counting on the revenues generated by the tax extension, but not everyone was willing to say so publicly. Another timeless story. Hartigan played it safe and opposed the tax extension. Edgar took a risk and told the truth that the revenues were necessary for the services that the public wanted, especially education. 'I don't want the people of Illinois to be surprised by anything I do after the election, and they won't be,' Edgar told voters several months before they cast their ballots. Not all of his political advisers supported his decision or at least his public declaration. However, the voters of Illinois appreciated his honesty and elected him by a narrow margin that fall. Four years later, Edgar was reelected in a landslide, carrying 101 of the state's 102 counties, including Cook County. Edgar's courage and candor on the tax issue exemplifies statesmanship. As did his approach to governing. Edgar was conservative in the most honorable sense of that word and philosophy. He was committed to conserving and preserving — to stewardship. Prudence is a neglected feature of statesmanship. Edgar believed in limited but effective government. He pushed tough spending cuts but also boosted funds for early childhood programs, other preventive programs and education. Frugal and tight-fisted, he was sometimes referred to as 'Governor No.' It should be noted that he inherited a large budget deficit and left his successor with a sizable surplus. Sometimes, statesmanship means saying no. Popular and respected, Edgar decided to retire after eight years as governor. He became a senior fellow at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois (IGPA) and has devoted much of his time to teaching and mentoring. Most notably, he created the Edgar Fellows program at IGPA. Every August, he brings 40 young leaders in local and state government, business and labor to a conference center in Champaign for a week to study government, delve into public policy issues and learn from the reflections of veteran leaders. In its 13th year, there are now more than 400 Edgar Fellows alumni who live across Illinois and work in all sectors. Edgar hopes these fellows from various backgrounds and political beliefs will work together to help solve many of the challenges facing the state. Edgar's focus on the future is also evident in his work with my institute on the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award. The annual award celebrates exceptional leadership in Illinois by a state and local government official. It goes to a statesperson who has demonstrated unusual vision, courage, compassion, civility, effectiveness and bipartisanship. Each award recipient to date has offered a special tribute to Edgar for his inspiration and example. Now in its fifth year, the award generates nominations of accomplished and inspiring mayors, city council members, county commissioners, constitutional officers, members of the General Assembly and others. It is a tangible indicator that statesmanship is still alive and well and is often occurring in quiet ways, away from the headlines. Edgar's legacy of courage, candor and stewardship deserves our gratitude. Principled statesmanship, he has demonstrated, can solve problems, command public respect and build a better future.
Chicago Tribune
25-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Daywatch: Cook County housing authority workers say they struggle to pay bills
Good morning, Chicago. Rachel Dubose had just bought a house and started a new full-time job at the Housing Authority of Cook County as a housing specialist, helping low-income county residents obtain and maintain their subsidized housing. She made $40,000 a year at HACC in 2022. Her bills piled up. While she never fell behind on her mortgage payments, her credit card debt was 'getting too out of control,' Dubose said. She started a part-time job at Walmart. Some days she would go straight from her job at HACC to Walmart until 10 p.m., having been up since 5 a.m. It 'took a toll,' she said. Once Dubose got engaged, the dual income allowed her to stop working at Walmart. But still, after about two years, citing the high caseloads, low pay, nepotism and favoritism by managers and general 'terrible work environment,' she quit. Dubose's struggles to pay her bills and negative experience working for HACC mirrors that of other HACC union employees who spoke with the Tribune. The employees are working without a contract and have been for about a year. The negotiations have required the parties, who will meet today, to bring in a federal mediator to try to help reach a deal, as the union says the agency won't agree to their current wage and health insurance proposals. Their demands include raising the salary floor to $40,000 for some workers. Read the full story from the Tribune's Lizzie Kane. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day. Former two-term Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Jim Edgar, who led Illinois government through a period of fiscal austerity with great positive acclaim from voters during his two terms as governor, announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Jury selection begins in Highland Park parade shooting trial Jury selection began Monday in Lake County Court in the case of Robert Crimo III, who is charged in the mass shooting that killed seven people at the 2022 Independence Day parade in Highland Park. At the conclusion of the day, attorneys had agreed on seven people who will eventually decide whether Crimo is guilty of first-degree murder and numerous counts of attempted murder in the attack that injured more than 40. Chicago craft brewers expect Trump's aluminum tariffs to raise the price of a six-pack When two northwest suburban childhood hockey pals launched Spiteful Brewing in 2012 as a post-collegiate enterprise, the business overcame long odds to grow from a stovetop startup into an award-winning craft brewery and tap room in Bowmanville. But after successfully navigating everything from the pandemic to a flat craft brewing market that has forced several Chicago competitors to close, Spiteful faces an imminent new challenge: tariffs. Trump says Canada and Mexico tariffs are 'going forward' with more import taxes to come President Donald Trump has claimed that other countries charge unfair import taxes that have come at the expense of domestic manufacturing and jobs. His near constant threats of tariffs have already raised concerns among businesses and consumers about an economic slowdown and accelerating inflation. But Trump claims that the import taxes would ultimately generate revenues to reduce the federal budget deficit and new jobs for workers. 'Our country will be extremely liquid and rich again,' Trump said. What to know about air traffic control towers after a midair collision in Arizona prompts questions Two small planes collided in midair over one of the runways on the outskirts of Tucson last week. One hit the ground and caught fire, sending up a plume of black smoke. The remains of two people were found in the charred wreckage. The other plane was able to land, with those occupants uninjured. The collision was the latest aviation mishap to draw attention in recent weeks. The circumstances vary widely with each case, however, and experts who study aviation accidents say they don't see any connection between them. Column: As Sammy Sosa returns to Chicago Cubs camp after 21 years, here are 7 spring sagas we can't forget Sammy Sosa is expected to return to Chicago Cubs camp as a guest instructor, continuing the reunification of the former star and the organization that shunned him for more than two decades. Sosa's arrival at old Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., was always newsworthy — usually because he was the last player there, amid one controversy or another, writes Paul Sullivan. His spring training stories are legendary and too numerous to mention, but here are some of the Sosa sagas we can't forget. Frank Pellico looks back on 33 years as the Chicago Blackhawks organist — and closes out with 'My Way' Frank Pellico showed no signs that his final night tickling the keyboards as the Chicago Blackhawks' organist was plucking at his heartstrings. 'I'm more antsy,' he told the Tribune moments before Sunday's home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Shortly afterward, colleagues and fans streamed into the organ room to extend congratulations on his decision to retire after 33 years. Review: 'Waitress' at the Paramount Theatre is a charming show with songs you'll remember 'Waitress' starred Chicago's own Jessie Mueller on Broadway and is now getting its first local production at the ambitious Paramount Theatre in Aurora with Michelle Lauto in the lead role. It's a delightful piece of material centered on the female experience and based on the 2007 Adrienne Shelly movie, writes Tribune theater critic Chris Jones. Chicago paczki guide 2025: Where to get the decadent pastries for Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday The sweet, stuffed pastries known as paczki were once cooked as a way to get rid of any extra eggs, sugar and lard ahead of Lent. They've become a decadent tradition throughout Polish communities, and you should go out of your way to seek some out. Fat Tuesday 2025 guide: 26 spots for Mardi Gras and Carnival specials in Chicagoland Fat Tuesday, the day before the start of Lent, is celebrated as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnival in Brazil, but you don't need to travel to get a taste of the fun. Bars and restaurants throughout Chicago are offering food and drink specials such as king cake, seafood boils and hurricanes and hosting performances from samba dancers and brass bands.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Former two-term Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Jim Edgar, who led Illinois government through a period of fiscal austerity with great positive acclaim from voters during his two terms as governor, announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Edgar, 78, who served as the state's chief executive from 1991 to 1999 and currently leads a bipartisan program through the University of Illinois aimed at training the state's future political leaders, made the announcement in a brief note to past 'Edgar Fellows' participants. He wrote he and his wife, Brenda, 'are facing a new, significant challenge.' 'Doctors at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have determined I have pancreatic cancer that has spread. They and physicians at Mayo Clinic are coordinating on a treatment regimen that I am following initially in Arizona, where we spend the winter, and later in Springfield when we return,' Edgar wrote. 'We do not underestimate this challenge, but we have confidence in the medical team helping us address it,' he wrote. In an interview, Edgar said he was diagnosed in mid-January following an MRI and biopsy and has so far undergone three chemotherapy treatments. 'I guess I'm still kind of in denial so I can kind of get by each day,' the former governor said, noting doctors at Mayo told him that life-extending treatments have been advancing quickly over the last five years. 'It just came out of the blue. I didn't have any symptoms or anything. A guy at Mayo told me, 'Anybody that tells you you've got so long to live, don't believe it. Nobody knows how long you've got.' He said, 'You'll hear about an average. Nobody's average.' He said, 'It's either worse or better,'' Edgar said. 'I told him, 'Guys, I'm a pessimist. I lost my first election, but I don't want to die,'' he said, adding that two of his grandchildren have wedding plans this year. 'I also said, 'There's an old saying in horse racing — if you have 2-year-olds in training, you'll never commit suicide. Well, I've got a lot of 2-year-old and 3-year-old (horses) in training, and I want to watch them race. So you guys figure out something.'' Edgar was first elected governor in 1990, a sharp contrast to his wheeling-dealing predecessor, the late James R. Thompson, who was the state's longest serving governor from 1977 until Edgar took over. In addition to his strict management of the state budget, which went from his inheriting a $1 billion deficit to ending his tenure with a $1.5 billion surplus, Edgar also enacted caps on local property taxes, set a base level for public grade schools, implemented welfare-to-work changes and launched a nationally recognized initiative to encourage adoptions. Edgar's political ideology — fiscal conservativism matched with social moderation — was in line with what had been a successful Illinois Republican formula for decades. After Edgar decided not to run for a third term, he was succeeded by Republican George Ryan, who only served one term amid a corruption scandal. Since then, the GOP's hard-line move to the right on social issues and the state's changing demographics has led to only one Republican winning Illinois' top office since 2002, Bruce Rauner in 2014, and he was a one-term governor. Edgar has lamented the party's decline in Illinois and the national party's embrace of President Donald Trump. Edgar has readily acknowledged he probably could not win a GOP primary in the state now. Democratic House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, who was a previous 'Edgar Fellow,' said the former governor 'is a model of a true statesman, and his commitment to integrity and collaborative leadership continues to guide Illinois.' 'Gov. Edgar and his family are in my prayers as they face this new challenge. As he has worked to bring out the best in others, may our prayers and well wishes bring the best to him,' Welch said in a statement. Paving the way for Edgar's successful runs for governor were his two terms as Illinois secretary of state. He defeated Democrat Neil Hartigan by nearly 84,000 votes in 1990 to become governor and four years later he won 64% of the vote in defeating the late Dawn Clark Netsch, a former Democratic state senator and comptroller, by more than 900,000 votes and capturing 101 of the state's 102 counties. At Rush, a doctor told him, ''Just take each day, a day at a time. He said don't think too far ahead,' and that's probably the best advice I've gotten,' Edgar said. 'I've always been a planner, so that's a whole new approach. For the most part, my mind is pretty good, because I just try to focus on other things.'
Chicago Tribune
25-02-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Former two-term Gov. Jim Edgar diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Jim Edgar, who led Illinois government through a period of fiscal austerity with great positive acclaim from voters during his two terms as governor, announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Edgar, 78, who served as the state's chief executive from 1991 to 1999 and currently leads a bipartisan program through the University of Illinois aimed at training the state's future political leaders, made the announcement in a brief note to past 'Edgar Fellows' participants. He wrote he and his wife, Brenda, 'are facing a new, significant challenge.' 'Doctors at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago have determined I have pancreatic cancer that has spread. They and physicians at Mayo Clinic are coordinating on a treatment regimen that I am following initially in Arizona, where we spend the winter, and later in Springfield when we return,' Edgar wrote. 'We do not underestimate this challenge, but we have confidence in the medical team helping us address it,' he wrote. In an interview, Edgar said he was diagnosed in mid-January following an MRI and biopsy and has so far undergone three chemotherapy treatments. 'I guess I'm still kind of in denial so I can kind of get by each day,' the former governor said, noting doctors at Mayo told him that life-extending treatments have been advancing quickly over the last five years. 'It just came out of the blue. I didn't have any symptoms or anything. A guy at Mayo told me, 'Anybody that tells you you've got so long to live, don't believe it. Nobody knows how long you've got.' He said, 'You'll hear about an average. Nobody's average.' He said, 'It's either worse or better,'' Edgar said. 'I told him, 'Guys, I'm a pessimist. I lost my first election, but I don't want to die,'' he said, adding that two of his grandchildren have wedding plans this year. 'I also said, 'There's an old saying in horse racing — if you have 2-year-olds in training, you'll never commit suicide. Well, I've got a lot of 2-year-old and 3-year-old (horses) in training, and I want to watch them race. So you guys figure out something.'' Edgar was first elected governor in 1990, a sharp contrast to his wheeling-dealing predecessor, the late James R. Thompson, who was the state's longest serving governor from 1977 until Edgar took over. In addition to his strict management of the state budget, which went from his inheriting a $1 billion deficit to ending his tenure with a $1.5 billion surplus, Edgar also enacted caps on local property taxes, set a base level for public grade schools, implemented welfare-to-work changes and launched a nationally recognized initiative to encourage adoptions. Edgar's political ideology — fiscal conservativism matched with social moderation — was in line with what had been a successful Illinois Republican formula for decades. After Edgar decided not to run for a third term, he was succeeded by Republican George Ryan, who only served one term amid a corruption scandal. Since then, the GOP's hard-line move to the right on social issues and the state's changing demographics has led to only one Republican winning Illinois' top office since 2002, Bruce Rauner in 2014, and he was a one-term governor. Edgar has lamented the party's decline in Illinois and the national party's embrace of President Donald Trump. Edgar has readily acknowledged he probably could not win a GOP primary in the state now. Democratic House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch, who was a previous 'Edgar Fellow,' said the former governor 'is a model of a true statesman, and his commitment to integrity and collaborative leadership continues to guide Illinois.' 'Gov. Edgar and his family are in my prayers as they face this new challenge. As he has worked to bring out the best in others, may our prayers and well wishes bring the best to him,' Welch said in a statement. Paving the way for Edgar's successful runs for governor were his two terms as Illinois secretary of state. He defeated Democrat Neil Hartigan by nearly 84,000 votes in 1990 to become governor and four years later he won 64% of the vote in defeating the late Dawn Clark Netsch, a former Democratic state senator and comptroller, by more than 900,000 votes and capturing 101 of the state's 102 counties. At Rush, a doctor told him, ''Just take each day, a day at a time. He said don't think too far ahead,' and that's probably the best advice I've gotten,' Edgar said. 'I've always been a planner, so that's a whole new approach. For the most part, my mind is pretty good, because I just try to focus on other things.'
