217 Today: Politicians across party lines pay tribute to former Governor Jim Edgar, who died Sunday

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Today’s headlines: 

• Childhood games created connections at last week’s Coffee Across Cultures Hour at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
• McLean County officials say they have swiftly and severely addressed a social media post from an employee approving of the killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
• Champaign-Urbana’s Mexican community gathered downtown Sunday night to celebrate Mexican independence with musical performances, dancing and food.
• Governor JB Pritzker says he  and his family feel safe, in light of escalating political threats.

In today’s deep dive, we're remembering former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, who died Sunday at age 79. A lifelong Republican from Charleston who later disagreed with his party over Donald Trump.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Sam Rink, Eric Stock, Adelyn Mui, Mawa Iqbal and Brian Mackey