* Press release…

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is spearheading an effort to recognize the legacy and impact of former Governor and Secretary of State Jim Edgar by designating the Jim Edgar Reading Room at the Illinois State Library.

“It’s a privilege to honor the legacy of Governor Jim Edgar – an incredible statesman, advocate and friend – for his career of service to our state and its citizens,” Giannoulias said. “The Jim Edgar Reading Room celebrates the former Governor and Secretary of State’s vital contributions to the state’s library and literacy programs, which continue to have had an indelible impact throughout our state.”

Giannoulias drafted House Joint Resolution 0025, which formally names the Reading Room in Edgar’s honor. The bipartisan resolution passed the Illinois House Tuesday and now heads to the Senate for a vote.

Serving as State Librarian during his term as Secretary of State, Edgar oversaw the construction of the Illinois State Library building, which was dedicated in June 1990. The room honoring Edgar houses the Illinois Authors’ Collection, a fitting tribute as Edgar assisted in the selection of the 35 authors who were given the honor of having their names engraved on the edifice of the building.

Known to his staff as “The Reader,” Edgar tirelessly advocated for libraries and literacy programs throughout his career in public service. His achievements include initiating the Read Illinois program to showcase the state’s literary heritage, establishing ILLINET Online – a library circulation system and resource sharing catalogue, and developing an adult literacy program that became a national model.

Edgar was raised in Charleston and served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1977 to 1979, as the 35th Illinois Secretary of State from 1981 to 1991 and as the 38th Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999.

It was a nice tribute. Edgar, you’ll recall, revealed in February that he has cancer.

* Some history from 2016…

Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville is the only candidate of those three with legislative experience, winning a primary in 2012 to the former 109th District. He was appointed to the seat when the incumbent resigned - then under redistricting, was elected that fall – unopposed - to the 110th District.

Halbrook left after one term for family reasons, but has decided to re-enter politics with a new governor in office. He has the endorsement and financial support of Gov. Bruce Rauner.

“I like his business mindset,” said Halbrook. “I’m a small business guy, he’s a large business guy, and guess there’s just a connection there,”

Halbrook says voters in his district are overwhelmingly backing the governor’s ‘Turnaround Agenda’ (property tax reform, worker’s compensation and liability reform, term limits, and legislative redistricting.)

He’s also critical of what’s been called the ‘Edgar Pension Ramp’ a 50-year repayment plan under former Republican governor Jim Edgar.

Halbrook called it a plan that was easy to swallow in the short term, and merely held out promises in the long term. “It’s grown exponentially out of control,” he said. He contends compromise is not always the best solution, even with the 8-month Illinois budget impasse.

“(The pension ramp) kicked the can down the road,” he said. “If the pension ramp was to worked, it should have had the problem fixed about now. I want to get things done, but I want to do things the right away.”

Edgar, meanwhile, is endorsing 102nd district candidate and former St. Joseph-Ogden High School Superintendent Jim Acklin

* Please note the one “Present” vote on today’s rollcall…

Isabel is on the floor and said Rep. Halbrook originally voted “No” before switching to yellow.

Halbrook’s fellow Republican Reps. Cabello, McLaughlin, Miller (no relation) and Niemerg did not vote on the Edgar resolution, but are at the Statehouse today.

       

22 Comments - Faltanas - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 1:24 pm: There are many people who hold grudges forever. Proceed accordingly. - Google Is Your Friend - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:01 pm: Chris Miller later orally asked to be reflected in the journal/transcript as a no vote. - ModerateGOP - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:17 pm: Maybe these guys could learn how to actually win elections outside of southern Illinois by looking to former Governor Edgar. Edgar actually won Cook County in 1994. These guys are a joke. - Leatherneck - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:31 pm: Was there anyone with the last name “Cellini” present at today’s ceremony? - Lurker - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:35 pm: I would have voted no - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:42 pm: ===I would have voted no === Oh, for crying out loud. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:45 pm: Dear Lord, When I die, judge me not only by the friends that I have earned, but also by the enemies I have made along the way. Sincerely, YDD - Bob - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:50 pm: @Yellow Seconded, and heartily. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 2:55 pm: Irish Alzheimers: where you forget everything except grudges. Sounds like Holbrook might be a distant relative of mine. - Norseman - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 3:04 pm: This was a well deserved honor. - Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 3:33 pm: When Edgar was governor I was required to purchase tickets to his fundraisers in order to keep my state job. The last time he squeezed us for the tickets then announced he wasn’t running for a third term. But he kept the money. I know lots of people have positive memories of the guy, but this is the one that will always stick with me. - Alton Sinkhole - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 3:43 pm: The (no relation) gets a smile and laugh out of me every single time lol - Helmsburg - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 3:50 pm: Carol Ammons did not vote either. No mention Rich? - Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 3:57 pm: Edgar did a lot of good things as Governor (cash basis budget), got some things wrong (GAAP basis budget), but Halbrook’s wildly wrong to let his grudge manifest itself like this. - low level - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 4:07 pm: Thats all these people have is hate and obstruction. They have no positive agenda to speak of. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 4:09 pm: ===Carol Ammons did not vote either=== Because she’s absent. - Leatherneck - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 4:25 pm: =When Edgar was governor I was required to purchase tickets to his fundraisers in order to keep my state job. The last time he squeezed us for the tickets then announced he wasn’t running for a third term. But he kept the money.= Unless he gave all that raised money away to George, Scott and Co. - jolietj - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 4:38 pm: Forgiveness is a very powerful thing to do for the person doing the forgiving - Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 5:47 pm: I’m a big holder of grudges, and am admittedly not a fan of Edgar, but this is one of the most petty, childish things I’ve ever read. - @misterjayem - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 6:00 pm: “Halbrook called it a plan that was easy to swallow in the short term, and merely held out promises in the long term.” I can’t tell if he’s talking about the “Edgar Ramp” that he despised or the “Turnaround Agenda” that he supported… – MrJM - Big Tom - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 7:02 pm: To ensure long-term historical perspective and prevent potential biases or fleeting fame from influencing naming conventions, I propose a moratorium on naming anything after individuals until 100 years after their death. - Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Apr 9, 25 @ 8:59 pm: And here I thought I was petty. ===did not vote on the Edgar resolution=== This really should be a lesson for anyone that still identifies as a Republican. The “movement” doesn’t give a [redacted] about you. Jim Edgar has to rely on his political opponents to recognize his public service because the GOP doesn’t care about public service or the public. TrackBack URI Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.