James R. Thompson Center

building, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Also known as: State of Illinois Center

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

The James R. Thompson Center, originally known as the State of Illinois Center, is a postmodern skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. Designed by architect Helmut Jahn, it was completed in 1985. The building is characterized by its distinctive blue-and-pink glass exterior and a large central atrium. It was commissioned by former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson, and renamed in his honor in 1993. The building's design aimed to make a bold statement about the open nature of government, though it has faced criticism for its acoustics and climate control challenges.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Helmut Jahn
…Illinois Center (1985; renamed the James R. Thompson Center in 1993 to honour the former Illinois governor who commissioned the building) in Chicago. Its plan refers to the American tradition of centrally planned domed state capitols. At the same time, its dramatic blue-and-pink glass-and-steel appearance and spectacular (if noisy and…
Read More
…Illinois Center (1985; renamed the James R. Thompson Center in 1993 to honour the former Illinois governor who commissioned the building) in Chicago. Its plan refers to the American tradition of centrally planned domed state capitols. At the same time, its dramatic blue-and-pink glass-and-steel appearance and spectacular (if noisy and…
Read More