Gov. Jim Edgar should not be put on the hot seat yet.

Edgar froze all Illinois construction projects in order to review their merit and NIU’s Rockford extension was caught up in the bundle.

Former Gov. James Thompson approved the release of $500,000 for the project before he handed his mantle to Edgar, and this has left Edgar wondering.

Many suspected Thompson’s cave in to NIU President John La Tourette, regarding the site for NIU’s expansion in Rockford, was to allow a governor to go out as an all-around great guy.

Now, Edgar needs to wonder if the former governor’s many financial approvals have left him holding the short end of the stick.

And reviewing all the projects is a good place to start. Illinois cannot afford to give money to a project for political reasons instead of meritorious considerations.

After Edgar reviews the construction projects, he will be better able to cut back future and current wastes that have been plaguing the state.

If Edgar decides to hold off on the Rockford expansion, then administrators can begin to protest, but until that time comes people should relax.

The freeze is an opportunity to save money in a state already spending too much, which is something we cannot afford to pass up.

Now is the time to let the new governor make some progress, and although we need to keep a watchful eye on him, we should give him a chance.