Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar died at age 79, multiple sources, including NBC Chicago, reported on Sept. 14.

There had been a gathering of the Edgar Fellows last week in Chicago, but the former governor did not attend.

The program, started in 2012 and which seeks to inspire "respectful and collaborative leadership to address the state’s significant challenges,” is housed at the University of Illinois System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs in Urbana-Champaign.

Edgar, the state's 38th governor, served from 1991 to 1999.

Edgar had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

Born in Oklahoma but raised in Charleston, Illinois, he attended Eastern Illinois University.

He also served in the Illinois General Assembly and two terms as Secretary of State.

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