Former IL Gov. Jim Edgar Dies

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar died Sunday, according to his family. He was 79.

Edgar died from complications related to treatment for pancreatic cancer, his family said in a statement. He publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

“We are deeply grateful for the love, support and kindness so many have shown to Jim and our family over these last several months,” the statement said.

Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement that he was "deeply saddened" by Edgar's death and would direct flags across the state to be flown at half-staff. He described Edgar as "a model public servant, a devoted father and husband, and an honest and honorable man."

A popular two-term Republican, Edgar was elected governor in 1990 and was credited with guiding the state into a period of increased financial stability. The moderate Republican easily won reelection, including in heavily Democratic Cook County.

"I was lucky enough to consider him a friend and mentor and have found myself drawing from his words of wisdom on countless occasions," Pritzker, a Democrat, said in the statement. "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."

Edgar remained a party statesman and adviser after his time as governor, but grew uneasy with the Republican Party’s shift to the right. He was among high-profile Republicans who did not support Donald Trump’s presidency, joining a campaign to support Kamala Harris′ bid for president last year called “Republicans for Harris.”

The Illinois Republican Party described Edgar in a social media post on Sunday as "a dedicated leader who served the people of Illinois."

Edgar was the Prairie State's 38th governor and inherited what was then the largest deficit in Illinois history, according to his website, making hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts.

He surprised many political observers when he announced in 1997 that he would not seek a third term, considering his popularity. Republicans tried to draft him to run for office again, including bids for the U.S. Senate and again for Illinois governor. But he did not accept. Edgar went on to teach and served as president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, among other things.

Before his time as governor, Edgar was Illinois' secretary of state, a role in which he led a crackdown on drunk drivers and fought for approval of legislation requiring that motorists carry insurance, his website said.

He started his state government career in 1968 as an aide in the Illinois House and Senate, according to his website. He was elected to the state House in 1976 and 1978, and then worked as director of legislative affairs for Gov. Jim Thompson, who appointed him secretary of state.

Edgar was born July 22, 1946, in Vinita, Oklahoma, and moved to Illinois as a child, attending Charleston public schools and graduating from Eastern Illinois University, where he majored in history and was elected student body president, his website said.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda, two children and five grandchildren.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.