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The Thompson Center in the Loop on Dec. 15, 2021.
The Thompson Center in the Loop on Dec. 15, 2021.
People walk outside the James R. Thompson Center in the Loop on Dec. 15, 2021, in Chicago. The state of Illinois is in final negotiations to sell the Thompson Center for $70 million.
People walk outside the James R. Thompson Center in the Loop on Dec. 15, 2021, in Chicago. The state of Illinois is in final negotiations to sell the Thompson Center for $70 million.
People ride the elevator inside the Thompson Center on Dec. 15, 2021, in Chicago.
People ride the elevator inside the Thompson Center on Dec. 15, 2021, in Chicago.
People walk near the Thompson Center on Dec. 15, 2021, in Chicago.
People walk near the Thompson Center on Dec. 15, 2021, in Chicago.
The mostly-empty offices at the Thompson Center in Chicago, March 15, 2021.
The mostly-empty offices at the Thompson Center in Chicago, March 15, 2021.
Exterior view of the Thompson Center in Chicago's Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
Exterior view of the Thompson Center in Chicago’s Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
A bird flies near the Thompson Center in Chicago's Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
A bird flies near the Thompson Center in Chicago’s Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
The Thompson Center in Chicago's Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
The Thompson Center in Chicago’s Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
Exterior view of the Thompson Center in Chicago's Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
Exterior view of the Thompson Center in Chicago’s Loop, Nov. 19, 2020.
The empty Thompson Center during the coronavirus pandemic, March 22, 2020.
The empty Thompson Center during the coronavirus pandemic, March 22, 2020.
The Thompson Center is void of most workers, March 17, 2020, in Chicago.
The Thompson Center is void of most workers, March 17, 2020, in Chicago.
Light passes through the Thompson Center ceiling in Chicago on Oct. 13, 2015.
Light passes through the Thompson Center ceiling in Chicago on Oct. 13, 2015.
The Thompson Center in Chicago looking upward at the atrium from ground level on Dec. 22, 2016.
The Thompson Center in Chicago looking upward at the atrium from ground level on Dec. 22, 2016.
The exterior of the Thompson center on Oct. 13, 2015, in Chicago.
The exterior of the Thompson center on Oct. 13, 2015, in Chicago.
Exterior of the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago, on Friday, April 5, 2019.
Exterior of the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago, on Friday, April 5, 2019.
The Thompson Center in Chicago looking upward at the atrium from ground level on Dec. 22, 2016.
The Thompson Center in Chicago looking upward at the atrium from ground level on Dec. 22, 2016.
Bird's eye view of City Hall and the Thompson Center buildings, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017.
Bird’s eye view of City Hall and the Thompson Center buildings, Friday, Sept. 22, 2017.
The Thompson Center, at 100 W. Randolph St. in downtown Chicago, is shown on May 3, 2017.
The Thompson Center, at 100 W. Randolph St. in downtown Chicago, is shown on May 3, 2017.
Interior of the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago, on Friday, April 5, 2019.
Interior of the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago, on Friday, April 5, 2019.
Nearly 30 years after Helmut Jahn's controversial building opened its doors, the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago is suffering from maintenance problems -- including cracked glass panels, dented and rusted columns, and carpeting held together with tape.
Nearly 30 years after Helmut Jahn’s controversial building opened its doors, the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago is suffering from maintenance problems — including cracked glass panels, dented and rusted columns, and carpeting held together with tape.
Passers-by travel through the Thompson Center in Chicago on Oct. 13, 2015. Gov. Bruce Rauner is proposing selling the building to save money for taxpayers.
Passers-by travel through the Thompson Center in Chicago on Oct. 13, 2015. Gov. Bruce Rauner is proposing selling the building to save money for taxpayers.
Visitors to the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago are reflected in glass wall panels on an upper floor.
Visitors to the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago are reflected in glass wall panels on an upper floor.
The interior of the State of Illinois Center in 1988.
The interior of the State of Illinois Center in 1988.
The glass atrium of the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The glass atrium of the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
Pedestrians pass by the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
Pedestrians pass by the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
An elevator ascends the atrium of the Thompson Center.
An elevator ascends the atrium of the Thompson Center.
A surreal view looking up toward the atrium, glass elevators and hanging American flag at the Thompson Center in Chicago May 2, 2017.
A surreal view looking up toward the atrium, glass elevators and hanging American flag at the Thompson Center in Chicago May 2, 2017.
The County Building and City Hall, left, and Thompson Center, right, in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The County Building and City Hall, left, and Thompson Center, right, in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center's glass atrium crown peeks up and over as seen from the rooftop of an adjoining building in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center’s glass atrium crown peeks up and over as seen from the rooftop of an adjoining building in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
A plan to replace the Thompson Center by Chicago architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill proposes a 1,700-foot mixed-use tower, center, with undulating exterior walls.
A plan to replace the Thompson Center by Chicago architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill proposes a 1,700-foot mixed-use tower, center, with undulating exterior walls.
A plan to replace the Thompson Center by Chicago architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill proposes a 1,700-foot mixed-use tower with undulating exterior walls.
A plan to replace the Thompson Center by Chicago architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill proposes a 1,700-foot mixed-use tower with undulating exterior walls.
Helmut Jahn, architect of the Thompson Center, released this proposal for a 110-story tower that would built on the southwest corner of the Thompson Center site. The center's atrium would be retained.
Helmut Jahn, architect of the Thompson Center, released this proposal for a 110-story tower that would built on the southwest corner of the Thompson Center site. The center’s atrium would be retained.
The CTA train station and the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The CTA train station and the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center looms large as two CTA trains arrive at the
The Thompson Center looms large as two CTA trains arrive at the “L” station at Clark and Lake streets in Chicago May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center and the CTA
The Thompson Center and the CTA “L” station at Clark and Lake streets in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center from the
The Thompson Center from the “L” platform in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
The Thompson Center and the CTA
The Thompson Center and the CTA “L” station at Clark and Lake streets in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
CTA commuters take the escalator down to the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
CTA commuters take the escalator down to the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
View from the walkway bridge connecting the CTA train station, left, and the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
View from the walkway bridge connecting the CTA train station, left, and the Thompson Center in Chicago on May 2, 2017.
Gov. Bruce Rauner announces plans to sell the aging Thompson Center in Chicago's Loop on Oct. 13, 2015.
Gov. Bruce Rauner announces plans to sell the aging Thompson Center in Chicago’s Loop on Oct. 13, 2015.
Gov. Pat Quinn makes a public appearance in the lobby of the Thompson Center in Chicago in 2013.
Gov. Pat Quinn makes a public appearance in the lobby of the Thompson Center in Chicago in 2013.
Nearly 30 years after Helmut Jahn's controversial building opened its doors, the Thompson Center is suffering from costly maintenance problems.
Nearly 30 years after Helmut Jahn’s controversial building opened its doors, the Thompson Center is suffering from costly maintenance problems.
In 2013, a window washer cleans up the Thompson Center in Chicago.
In 2013, a window washer cleans up the Thompson Center in Chicago.
A man rides an elevator at the Thompson Center in Chicago on Jan. 8, 2013.
A man rides an elevator at the Thompson Center in Chicago on Jan. 8, 2013.
The Thompson Center, seen in 1990, was known as the State of Illinois Center until 1992.
The Thompson Center, seen in 1990, was known as the State of Illinois Center until 1992.
In 2011, architect Helmut Jahn, designer of the Thompson Center, works in his office in Chicago's Jewelers Building.
In 2011, architect Helmut Jahn, designer of the Thompson Center, works in his office in Chicago’s Jewelers Building.
Frank Conroy points out an area in the State of Illinois Center on June 21, 1984, where some aldermen have questioned safety standards.
Frank Conroy points out an area in the State of Illinois Center on June 21, 1984, where some aldermen have questioned safety standards.
John Campbell, a comptroller's office employee, switches on a fan in the State of Illinois Center in August 1986. Temperatures soared into the 90s in the parts of the building during a heat have.
John Campbell, a comptroller’s office employee, switches on a fan in the State of Illinois Center in August 1986. Temperatures soared into the 90s in the parts of the building during a heat have.
Architect Helmut Jahn in the State of Illinois Center in 1989. The building was later renamed the Thompson Center.
Architect Helmut Jahn in the State of Illinois Center in 1989. The building was later renamed the Thompson Center.
One man checks his watch while the other sits and waits in an elevator stuck for an hour and 15 minutes in the State of Illinois Center in 1987. A power surge resulting from a storm knocked out controls on the elevator, stranding it at the fourth floor.
One man checks his watch while the other sits and waits in an elevator stuck for an hour and 15 minutes in the State of Illinois Center in 1987. A power surge resulting from a storm knocked out controls on the elevator, stranding it at the fourth floor.
Joseph J. Annunzio, of the state environmental control division, and William W. Frerichs, assistant division chief, use an umbrella to battle heat and glare from the sun in the State of Illinois Center in 1986.
Joseph J. Annunzio, of the state environmental control division, and William W. Frerichs, assistant division chief, use an umbrella to battle heat and glare from the sun in the State of Illinois Center in 1986.
Illinois Gov. James Thompson points out his favorite aspects of the State of Illinois Center during a party for construction workers involved in building the $172 million center in 1985.
Illinois Gov. James Thompson points out his favorite aspects of the State of Illinois Center during a party for construction workers involved in building the $172 million center in 1985.
While construction on the new State of Illinois Center moved along in 1983, an official reported that low bids by recession-starved construction contractors would shave $9 million from its cost. It would actually come in nearly double the estimated cost.
While construction on the new State of Illinois Center moved along in 1983, an official reported that low bids by recession-starved construction contractors would shave $9 million from its cost. It would actually come in nearly double the estimated cost.
Like a visitor from another planet, the State of Illinois Center, dubbed by some
Like a visitor from another planet, the State of Illinois Center, dubbed by some “Starship Chicago,” sits amid the skyscrapers of the Loop. In 1992 it was renamed the James R. Thompson Center.
The State of Illinois Center in 1983.
The State of Illinois Center in 1983.
The State of Illinois Center under construction in 1982.
The State of Illinois Center under construction in 1982.
Architect Helmut Jahn looks over drawings of his State of Illinois Center in 1980.
Architect Helmut Jahn looks over drawings of his State of Illinois Center in 1980.
Construction of the State of Illinois Center progresses in August 1982.
Construction of the State of Illinois Center progresses in August 1982.
The State of Illinois Center under construction in 1982.
The State of Illinois Center under construction in 1982.
Photo from the seventh floor of City Hall showing the State of Illinois Center under construction in 1982. The building was later renamed the Thompson Center.
Photo from the seventh floor of City Hall showing the State of Illinois Center under construction in 1982. The building was later renamed the Thompson Center.
Construction of the State of Illinois Center at Randolph and LaSalle streets in 1982.
Construction of the State of Illinois Center at Randolph and LaSalle streets in 1982.
Cranes are moved into place to start construction of the State of Illinois Center on Oct. 26, 1981.
Cranes are moved into place to start construction of the State of Illinois Center on Oct. 26, 1981.
Gov. James R. Thompson unveils a working model of the new 17-story State of Illinois Center in 1980.
Gov. James R. Thompson unveils a working model of the new 17-story State of Illinois Center in 1980.