Ex-U.S. Representative and Former Transportation Secretary Appointed to Lead Edgar Fellows Program

Share and Follow

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The program founded by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar has welcomed a new leader to its ranks.

Ray LaHood, a former U.S. Congressman and Secretary of Transportation, has been named the Distinguished Director of the Edgar Fellows program. LaHood, who has been a long-time supporter of the initiative and a close ally of Jim Edgar, steps into this prominent position with a wealth of experience.

The nonprofit organization announced that LaHood’s responsibilities will include a more significant role in the program’s annual events, fostering connections with Illinois’ bipartisan senior civic leaders, and working towards the long-term financial sustainability of the Edgar Fellows initiatives.

Established by Jim Edgar in 2012, the Edgar Fellows program is closely associated with the University of Illinois. It aims to equip emerging leaders in Illinois with a deeper understanding of public policy while promoting respectful collaboration and dialogue across political lines.

“I am honored and humbled to be named Distinguished Director of Edgar Fellows. My special thanks to Brenda Edgar and the Edgar Board of Directors for their trust and confidence to lead this outstanding leadership program. We plan to continue with the vision of our beloved Governor Edgar to recognize and develop bipartisan leadership for Illinois,” LaHood said in news release.

LaHood served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation under former President Barack Obama. He also previously served in the United States House of Representatives (1995–2009) as a Republican.

“Edgar Fellows is Jim’s living legacy to the State of Illinois. The entire Edgar family is pleased that long-time friend and respected Illinoisan Ray LaHood will be joining the organization in this important role. We know that he will continue to reinforce the importance of principled, bipartisan leadership,” former Illinois First Lady Brenda Edgar said.

The 2025 Class of Edgar Fellows was announced earlier this year. You can find a list of the fellows here.

Edgar — who served as the Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999 — died in September at the age of 79. He grew up in Charleston and graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in history.