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Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a popular two-term Republican, dies at 79

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Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a popular two-term Republican, dies at 79


CHICAGO — Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a popular two-term Republican credited with guiding the state into a period of greater financial stability in the 1990s, died Sunday, according to his family. He was 79.

Edgar died from complications related to his treatment for pancreatic cancer, his family said in a statement. He publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

“We are deeply grateful for the love, support and kindness so many have shown to Jim and our family over these last several months,” the statement said.

A former state legislator who was Illinois secretary of state for a decade, Edgar was elected governor in 1990. The moderate Republican easily won reelection, including winning heavily Democratic Cook County, where Chicago is located.

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He remained a party statesman and adviser, and grew uneasy with the Republican Party’s shift to the right. Edgar was among high-profile Republicans who did not support Donald Trump’s presidency, joining a campaign to support Kamala Harris ′ bid for president last year called “Republicans for Harris.”

Born in small-town Oklahoma, Edgar was much more reserved than his flashy, charming predecessor, James R. Thompson, who was the longest-serving governor in state history. At the time Edgar took office, the state was hundreds of millions of dollars in debt and paying its bills months late.

Amid a recession, Edgar pushed legislators to cut the state budget, making layoffs and cuts in popular programs. He also managed to fulfill his campaign promise of getting a temporary income tax surcharge made permanent, guaranteeing a stable source of money for public schools.

“It wasn’t always pretty how it was done, but we got a lot done,” Edgar told The Associated Press in 1998. “We went after some pretty tough issues. We didn’t get them all, but we got most of them.”

He surprised many political observers when he announced in 1997 that he would not seek a third term, considering his popularity. Republicans tried to draft him to run for office again, including bids for the U.S. Senate and again for Illinois governor. But he did not accept.

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Edgar went on to teach and served as president emeritus of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, among other things.

“By any standard, he was a Republican whose integrity guided his time in office and who managed one of the most successful periods in Illinois state government,” Bob Kustra, who served as Edgar’s lieutenant governor, said in a statement.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Sunday that flags in the state would fly at half-staff in Edgar’s honor.

“Now more than ever, we should channel that spirit and resolve to live as Governor Edgar did: with honesty integrity, and an enduring respect for all,” Pritzker, a Democrat, said in a statement. “He will live on in the incalculable number of lives he touched and in the stronger institutions he helped build.”

Edgar is survived by his wife and two children.

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His relatives said details on funeral plans would follow in the coming days.



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3 Big IL Lottery Prizes Set To Expire Soon, Remain Unclaimed

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3 Big IL Lottery Prizes Set To Expire Soon, Remain Unclaimed


Three lottery tickets purchased in the Chicago area are set to expire soon, meaning the unknown lucky winners could be out thousands of dollars if they do not step up to claim their prizes.

Among the cash prizes are two tickets valued at $100,000 each that will expire in March and another with a $200,000 payout, which will expire next week, according to Illinois Lottery officials. The $200,000 Powerball winner was purchased at a Citgo at 44 E. Sibley Avenue in Dolton on Nov. 30.

The other two tickets that have winners that have not claimed prizes include:

  • A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 12 at the Speedway, 110 Arrowhead Drive, Hampshire
  • A $100,000 Powerball ticket bought on March 19 at the Shell, 4900 S. Cicero Avenue, Chicago.

Winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize, according to the Illinois Lottery.

The Illinois Lottery is urging players to check their tickets as the deadline approaches to claim a $200,000 winning Powerball ticket purchased nearly a year ago in Dolton, Illinois. The ticket will expire in two weeks if not claimed.

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The Illinois Lottery encourages the ticket holder to sign the back of their winning ticket immediately and store it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize.

A full list of unclaimed prizes can be found on the Illinois Lottery’s website.



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Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel

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Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction, How to Watch, Odds, Channel


The No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) will attempt to extend a four-game home win streak when they take on the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at United Center. The matchup airs at 9 p.m. ET on FS1.

The Fighting Illini, who are favored by 2.5 points, are set to take on the Crimson Tide. The matchup’s over/under is set at 180.5.

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Continue scrolling to get everything you need to know ahead of betting on the Illinois-Alabama contest.

Illinois vs. Alabama How to Watch & Odds

  • When: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET
  • Where: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
  • TV: FS1
  • Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App and FOX One (Try free for 7 days)
  • Odds: Illinois is favored to win the game. Check out the latest odds.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Illinois vs. Alabama Prediction

Take the Illini to take down Alabama tonight. Illinois is riding high on their 4-0 record and has shown impressive defensive prowess, limiting opponents to just 66.8 points per game. Their frontcourt, led by players like David Mirkovic, could prove to be a significant matchup advantage against Alabama.

Alabama, on the other hand, is coming off a tough loss to Purdue, where they were outrebounded by 24 and struggled from three-point range, going 16-for-43. However, they’ve shown they can score, averaging 91.3 points per game. Labaron Philon Jr. is having a standout season, averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.

  • Pick ATS: Illinois (-2.5)
  • Pick OU: Under (180.5)
  • Prediction: Illinois 86, Alabama 83

Prediction provided by FOX Sports’ Sports AI. Download the FOX Sports App for free access to Sports AI.

Illinois vs. Alabama Betting Insights

Betting Line Implied Predictions

  • Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Fighting Illini 92, Crimson Tide 89.
  • The Fighting Illini have a 60.5% chance to collect the win in this matchup per the moneyline’s implied probability.
  • The Crimson Tide have a 43.9% implied probability to come out on top.

Key Spread Facts

  • Illinois won 18 games against the spread last season, while failing to cover 17 times.
  • Alabama covered 21 times in 37 games with a spread last year.
  • Illinois had an ATS record of 15-12 when playing as at least a 2.5-point favorite last season.
  • Alabama was an underdog by 2.5 points or more six times last year, and covered the spread in four of those matchups.

Key Total Facts

  • Four times last year, the Fighting Illini and their opponent combined to score more than 180.5 points.
  • Last year, 15 Crimson Tide games featured more than 180.5 points scored.
  • Last year’s combined scoring average for these two teams (174.3 points per game) is 6.2 fewer than the total for this contest.

Key Moneyline Facts

  • Illinois went 19-7 in games it was listed as the moneyline favorite last season (winning 73.1% of those games).
  • Last season, Alabama was the underdog nine times and won five of those games.
  • Illinois had a record of 19-6 in games it played as a moneyline favorite with odds of -153 or shorter last year (76%).
  • Alabama had a record of 2-3 when it was set as the underdog by +128 or more by sportsbooks last season.

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Illinois transportation crews prepare for winter weather

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Illinois transportation crews prepare for winter weather


MILAN, Ill. (KWQC) – The Illinois Department of Transportation held a “Winter Weather, Get It Together” event Tuesday as crews prepare for the upcoming winter season.

Crews want drivers to pay extra attention to crews working to clear roads during winter weather events.

“Definitely just keep in mind, slow down when you see our trucks,” Devin McNeill, Illinois DOT lead worker at the Silvis yard said. “Our drivers are doing multiple things while they’re operating the trucks so they can’t see everywhere.”

He also said drivers should be patient.

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Crews in District 2, which covers several counties in northwest Illinois, have nearly 4,100 miles of roads to plow.

Guidelines from the Illinois Department of Transportation:
  • Give yourself extra time for trips
  • Slow down and increase the distance between other vehicles
  • Prepare an emergency kits with jumper cable, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, traction material, blankets, food and a first-aid kit
  • Keep a cellphone charger in your vehcile
  • Check your battery, tires, lights, charging system and belts
  • Look out for black ice and slippery conditions, even with no snow
  • Be careful at intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas
  • Don’t travel in bad weather unless you have to. If you do, share your route and check the forecast
  • Give plows and other equipment treating the roads space



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