James R. Thompson, Illinois longest-serving governor, dies at 84

James R. Thompson, a former Illinois governor known as “Big Jim” who was the state’s longest-serving chief executive, died Aug. 14 at a Chicago hospital. He was 84.

His family and police sources announced the death. He had been treated for injuries suffered in a fall several weeks ago.

Mr. Thompson, a Republican from Chicago, was first elected in 1976 and eventually served four terms before leaving office in 1991. A moderate, he managed the state through recession years in the 1980s. He also helped put together a plan in the late 1980s to help the Chicago White Sox get a new stadium to head off a potential move.

Mr. Thompson spearheaded a $2.3 billion project to rebuild the state’s infrastructure over five years. He also created the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. In 1993, the state government building in downtown Chicago was named in Mr. Thompson’s honor.

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“As the longest-serving governor in Illinois history, ‘Big Jim’ was known to treat people he encountered with kindness and decency,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said in a statement. “Jim dedicated himself to building positive change for Illinois, and he set an example for public service of which Illinoisans should be proud. He will be remembered and revered as one of the titans in the history of state government.”

After he left public office, Mr. Thompson served as a member of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States to examine the 9/11 attacks.

James Robert Thompson Jr. was born May 8, 1936, in Chicago. His father was a doctor.

After graduating from law school at Northwestern University, the 6-foot-6 Mr. Thompson became a prominent prosecutor in Cook County and later a U.S. attorney.

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In the early 1960s, he prosecuted Lenny Bruce after the comedian held up a photograph of a woman’s breast while onstage at a Chicago nightclub.

After he was appointed U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois by President Richard M. Nixon, Mr. Thompson became known for anti-corruption cases, including the prosecution of former Illinois governor Otto Kerner Jr. (D), by then a federal appeals judge.

In 1972, Mr. Thompson and his staff uncovered massive voter fraud, leading to 83 indictments and 66 convictions or guilty pleas. He headed the prosecution that led to the conviction of a powerful Chicago alderman, Thomas E. Keane, a close associate of Mayor Richard J. Daley, and uncovered further corruption in the city’s Democratic political machine.

Mr. Thompson also took part in the investigation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, a fellow Republican, saying, “The man is a crook; no question about that.” Agnew eventually pleaded no contest to tax evasion.

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After his terms as governor, Mr. Thompson headed a prominent Chicago law firm, Winston & Strawn. His reputation was somewhat tarnished when he defended former Illinois governor George Ryan (R) against federal charges of racketeering and corruption.

Ryan was convicted and served five years in federal prison. Mr. Thompson’s pro bono defense of Ryan reportedly cost his law firm more than $10 million.

Survivors include his wife, the former Jayne Carr, and a daughter.

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