Carbondale Reporter

Jim Edgar, the 38th Governor of Illinois who served from 1991 to 1999, passed away on September 14, 2025, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was remembered for his service and commitment to the state.

State Senator Terri Bryant commented on Edgar’s passing: "I join people across Illinois in mourning the loss of Governor Jim Edgar. His wife Brenda, an Anna native, made their partnership especially meaningful to us here in Southern Illinois. Together, they represented integrity, service, and a deep love for our state. My thoughts are with Brenda and the entire Edgar family."

Edgar began his career as a legislative intern before serving as an Illinois State Representative and Secretary of State. As governor, he was recognized for addressing the state budget deficit and implementing reforms in education, welfare, child protection, as well as leading during the Great Flood of 1993. After leaving office, he continued public advocacy through programs such as The Jim Edgar Fellow Program.

Visitation services were held at the Illinois State Capitol on September 19. Memorial services followed on Saturday.

In other news from Springfield, Republican State Senator Neil Anderson introduced legislation to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his assassination earlier this month. Senate Bill 2694 would amend the State Commemorative Dates Act to recognize September 10 each year as “Charlie Kirk Day” in Illinois.

Kirk was shot on September 10 while preparing to speak at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson has been charged with his murder.

Senator Bryant said: "By establishing a day of recognition, Illinoisans will have a chance each year to reflect on Kirk’s values, his contributions to public discourse, and the continuing importance of protecting our constitutional rights."

The bill is currently filed with the Illinois General Assembly and awaits committee assignment.

As harvest season continues across Illinois, motorists are reminded to be cautious around farm equipment moving along rural roads. According to research from University of Illinois-Chicago, nearly 530 crashes per year involving agricultural vehicles occurred on state roadways between 2018 and 2023.

Bryant stated that harvest season is both a time to recognize farmers’ hard work and increase caution on rural roads. She encouraged drivers to slow down and give space to large equipment while urging farmers to use visible lights and signals for safety.

Illinois taxpayers have an opportunity this fall for relief from penalties and interest on certain unpaid taxes through an amnesty program offered by the Department of Revenue (IDOR). Outstanding tax liabilities incurred between June 30, 2018 and July 1, 2024 may qualify if paid in full between October 1 and November 17. Property taxes do not qualify under this program; neither do estate or insurance taxes.

The last such amnesty period took place in late-2019; no future periods are currently planned without further legislative action by the General Assembly.

National Surgical Technologists Week is being observed during the third week of September. There are about 108,000 surgical technologists working nationwide according to federal labor statistics; employment in this field is expected to grow by approximately twelve percent over ten years due largely to advances in medical technology.

Surgical technologists prepare patients before surgery—disinfecting incision sites or transporting them—and assist surgeons during procedures by passing instruments or counting supplies.

For Halloween preparations across Illinois this year, officials from both the Department of Labor (IDOL) and Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are inspecting haunted houses for compliance with fire safety codes adopted after fires decades ago led to stricter rules statewide. Most haunted houses must have smoke alarms or sprinklers installed; operators also require background checks for staff members. Exemptions apply for not-for-profit religious or charitable events; local authorities oversee inspections where applicable.

Bryant was elected as a Republican senator representing Illinois’ 58th Senate District in 2021 after Paul Schimpf.

https://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=102&MemberID=2972