Jim Edgar served as the Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999, restoring the state's fiscal health during his first term, and concentrating on educational and other reform issues during his second term. Before reaching the pinnacle of Illinois government, he served as Secretary of State from 1981 to 1991. His retirement from public office in 1999 marked thirty years of state government service. During this extensive interview series, Governor Edgar provides a detailed overview of Illinois' colorful and often tumultuous political history from 1968 through 2010.
Interview Links
Featured Exerpt
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early childhood through the high school years
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Years at Wabash College and EIU, legislative internship
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Work as a legislative staffer through 1973
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Edgar's run for state legislature in 1974 and 1976
Interview Session 05 (Audio)
Edgar's years in the state legislature, 1977-1978
Interview Session 06 (Audio)
Edgar's years as Gov. Thompson's legislative liaison, 1979-1980
Interview Session 07 (Audio)
Edgar's Secretary of State years, 1981-1982
Interview Session 08 (Audio)
Secretary of State years, cont. 1983-1990
Interview Session 09 (Audio)
1990 Gubernatorial election campaign
Interview Session 10 (Audio)
1990 Gubernatorial election campaign
Interview Session 11 (Audio)
Edgar's transition prior to his inauguration
Interview Session 12 (Audio)
Inauguration, early months, and 1991 budget battle for FY 1992
Interview Session 13 (Audio)
Edgar administration from Fall 1991 thru FY 1993 budget fight
Interview Session 14 (Audio)
Administration from mid-1992 thru 1992 political campaign
Interview Session 15 (Audio)
Working with the legislature, legislative leaders, and the mansion
Interview Session 16 (Audio)
The administration's response to the Great Flood of 1993
Interview Session 17 (Audio)
1994 and the second gubernatorial election campaigns
Interview Session 18 (Audio)
Republican legislative majority initiatives and higher ed. reforms
Interview Session 19 (Audio)
Chicago school reform and Dept. of Natural Resources reorg.
Interview Session 20 (Audio)
Staff reorganization and Illinois school reform
Interview Session 21 (Audio)
Human Services reorganization, reforms, and initiatives
Interview Session 22 (Audio)
Dept. of Children and Family Services and MSI controversy
Interview Session 23 (Audio)
Edgar's last year in office in 1998 and transition to new life
Interview Session 24 (Audio)
Adjusting to life in the private arena
Interview Session 25 (Audio)
Decision points; the 2002 gubernatorial, 2004 Senate, and 2006 gubernatorial elections
Interview Session 26 (Audio)
Views of Blagojevich, Pat Quinn, ALPLM and concluding questions
Vol I: Edgar's Early Life and Legislative Career, Sessions 1-5
pages 1 to 270
Vol II: From Legislative Liaison to Governor - Road to the Executive Mansion, Sessions 6-10
pages 271 to 516
Vol III: Edgar's First Term - 1991-1994, Sessions 11-16
pages 517 to 717
Vol IV: Edgar's Second Gubernatorial Campaign & Second Term - 1994-1999, Sessions 17-22
pages 718 to 955
Vol V: Edgar as Private Citizen, Sessions 23-26
pages 956 to 1117
Index for Transcripts
Videos
Interview Session 09 - 1990 Gubernatorial election campaign
Interview Session 10 - 1990 Gubernatorial election campaign