Jim Edgar

Governor of Illinois
In 1990 Edgar won the first of his two terms as governor winning the Republican primary against Steve Baer and then winning a close race against his Democratic opponent Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan. The Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area near Virginia Illinois is named in Edgar's honor. He was also the last elected Illinois governor to not face criminal charges until Pat Quinn.

Though still popular he surprised many by retiring from elected office after his second term as governor claiming that heart problems he had while governor were not a factor in his decision. Edgar was born in Vinita Oklahoma and was raised in Charleston Illinois. James Edgar (born July 22 1946 Vinita Oklahoma) is an American politician who was the 38th Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999 and Illinois Secretary of State from 1981 to 1991.