SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (25 News) – Funeral services were held Saturday for former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.
Edgar died of pancreatic cancer Sept. 14 at the age of 79.
25 News reports family members and political leaders from both sides of the aisle filled Central Baptist Church in Springfield to pay tribute to Edgar.
Former Congressman and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood of Peoria was among several people to deliver eulogies. LaHood remembered Edgar as the best Republican governor.
“Jim Edgar is the gold standard for public service, for honesty and for integrity,” LaHood said.
LaHood said Edgar’s greatest legacy was creating the Fellows program which mentored many young leaders every year at the University of Illinois.
Current Democratic Governor JB Pritzker said he considers Edgar one of his mentors.
“Fortunately for me and Illinois, Governor Jim Edgar’s values and judgment and service have been a model to follow,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker said Edgar was “exemplary in so many ways.”
Edgar was one of the leaders of Pritzker’s transition team following Pritzker’s win over Republican Governor Bruce Rauner in 2018.
Pritzker said Edgar advised him that balancing the budget would be his most important job. Pritzker said Edgar praised him for accomplishing the feat the first time, but said he would have to do it again.
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