Jim Edgar and John Shaw Special to the State Journal-Register We announced last fall that we established the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar award to celebrate statesmanship in Illinois. While we have no formula to offer that magically ends partisanship in Illinois, quiets rancor, and forges a sense of shared destiny, we believe this award will affirm and honor the Prairie State’s best traditions. Given our current political climate, it is easy to forget that statesmanship, while unusual, has been a critical feature of the Prairie State’s politics and history and has been demonstrated by Republicans, Democrats and independents alike.