Illinois is mourning the loss of Jim Edgar, revered for both his public service and his personal warmth. Edgar’s legacy endures through his commitment to the “Three C’s”: Civility, Compromise, and Compassion—values he saw as crucial to a healthy democracy. He championed the idea that working together and treating others with dignity enables progress, even amid disagreements. His passing prompts reflection on the importance of kindness and cooperation in today’s polarized political landscape. Edgar’s enduring message is clear: each of us has a role in fostering respectful discourse and building a more compassionate society.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias stated the following about the passing of former Governor Jim Edgar:
Jim Edgar was an amazing man and an incredible public servant. More importantly, he was a great friend and advisor to me. His leadership will be missed, his friendship even more so. My family and I send our deepest condolences to his family.
Jim spoke frequently about the importance of the ‘Three C’s’: Civility, Compromise and Compassion – words that resonate more than ever today. Together, he believed they served as the foundation of a healthy democracy, knowing that as Americans, we work best when we collaborate and work out our differences, show compassion toward those who need help, and treat one another with respect and dignity. For Jim, compromise was not surrender; compassion was not weakness; and civility was not placation. Together, these principles give us the space to stand firm in our beliefs and to speak passionately without being disrespected, dehumanized or attacked.
As we mourn his death, we can honor Jim by choosing to believe that – regardless of our differences – a better world is possible through kindness. While the need for a civil, a collaborative and a compassionate political climate is more important than ever with today’s polarizing politics – the duty and responsibility of restoring the Three Cs begins with each one of us.