Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Ryan and former Gov. Jim Edgar made a campaign stop in Rockford Monday.

Ryan announced that if he is elected governor, he plans to appoint Edgar to lead his transition team. The purpose of this position, Edgar says, is to give the next governor a head start in restoring stability and economic trust to state government. He says he knows from his days in Springfield how crucial this can be.

Jim Edgar served as Illinois governor from 1991 to 1996.

After falling behind early in the polls Jim Ryan now trails Rod Blagojevich by only 9 points in Monday’s Crains Chicago Business Poll.