Official portrait of Ill. Gov. Jim Edgar. Photo: JimEdgar.com.

On this podcast, I often focus on the bigger stories of power: empire, colonialism, and the ways leaders today fall short of what their people need. But this time I want to pause and talk about someone whose name may not come up in every national conversation, yet his passing has left many in Illinois reflecting on what leadership should look like. I’m talking about former Governor Jim Edgar, a man whose career offers a picture of servant leadership and a reminder of why so many people long for a style of politics rooted in trust, humility, and service.

Jim Edgar was not your typical politician. He was a Republican who managed to win Cook County, a place known as a Democratic stronghold. He didn’t do this by changing his values or pretending to be something he wasn’t. He did it by earning the respect of people across the state. Voters could see that he was trying to serve everyone, not just his own party.

What stands out about Edgar’s leadership is that he didn’t chase applause or popularity. He had personal views that some disagreed with—he didn’t personally support marriage equality—but he defended Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady when Brady spoke out in favor of it. Party leaders wanted Brady gone for breaking with tradition, but Edgar refused to join the outrage. He understood that Illinoisans were ready for change, and he respected their voices. That’s a rare kind of courage.

And this wasn’t a one-time thing. Edgar would go on to prove that his loyalty was to the people, not to his party, when he endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for president. In an era of deep political division, that decision showed his character. He was willing to stand up for what he thought was best for the country, even if it cost him politically.

Governor JB Pritzker captured this spirit perfectly after Edgar’s passing. He said, “His commitment to reaching across the aisle in service of the people of Illinois undeniably made our state better. Now more than ever, we should channel that spirit and resolve to live as Governor Edgar did: with honesty integrity and an enduring respect for all.”

That respect for all people was the foundation of Edgar’s leadership. He didn’t raise his voice or play to extremes, and yet people trusted him. Even those who didn’t agree with him admired him because they knew he was honest and fair. He showed us that it’s possible to stand firm in your values while still treating opponents with dignity.

Here are just a few highlights of his leadership and accomplishments:

* He earned bipartisan respect by working closely with Democrats and Republicans alike.

* He won statewide elections twice and even carried Cook County, a feat for any Republican.

* He balanced Illinois’ budget and left the state with a $1.5 billion surplus when he left office.

* He pushed for ethics reform and worked to restore public trust after years of political scandal.

* He made education a priority and increased funding for schools.

* He defended members of his own party who took progressive stances because he valued listening to the people over party politics.

* He endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, showing a deep belief in country over party.

* Even after leaving office, he remained active in public service and leadership mentoring.

Jim Edgar’s legacy challenges today’s leaders to be more than partisans. It asks them to choose courage over convenience, integrity over division, and service over power. In a time when politics often feels like a game of sides, Edgar reminds us that leadership can be steady, respectful, and deeply moral. And that is exactly what our country needs right now.

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