Being an Ex Governor is a Good Living...

The betting is moving towards the former IL Gov jumping back into the campaign kettle, but stories like this highlight why the decision is a tough one for the popular Edgar.

If he runs, he wins. Tough decision; grab back the brass ring, or keep earning the silverbacks.

Ex-Governors for $500, Alex.

If Jim Edgar runs for governor next year and wins, his victory would not only be costly for Democrats.

It would take a serious bite out of the former Republican governor's own wallet -- to the tune of at least $460,000 a year, or more than $1.8 million over a four-year term as governor.

A patchwork of paychecks
It has indeed been a comfortable lifestyle Edgar has adopted since leaving office in January 1999 after serving two terms as governor.

Documents examined by the Sun-Times show he has cobbled together a patchwork of paychecks that put his annual income at more than $615,000 -- a far cry from the $150,691 salary he would receive as governor.