Former Illinois Gov. James 'Big Jim' Thompson Dead At 84

CHICAGO (CBS/AP) -- Former Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson has died at the age of 84.

Known as "Big Jim," Thompson was a Chicago native and the longest serving governor in Illinois history. He served from 1977 until 1991.

Thompson died shortly after 8 p.m. Friday at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, his wife, Jayne, told the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. The Tribune, citing a police report, reported Thompson had been recovering there for several weeks after suffering heart problems.

"It was very sudden," his wife told the Tribune. "I was told that his heart simply stopped."

Thompson was a prosecutor known for taking on Chicago's Democratic machine in a state infamous for political corruption when he was first elected governor in 1976. He led the state through a recession in the 1980s and served four terms before leaving office in 1991.

Thompson's former press secretary, Jim Prescott, released the following statement: "The Thompson family is mourning the loss of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Jim Thompson's love and devotion to his family mirrored his lifelong dedication to his beloved State of Illinois.

"His guiding principle in public and private life was to help people and do what he could so they could have an opportunity to succeed. In that process, he achieved big things for Illinois that matched the life he lived."

Thompson stood 6 feet 6 inches tall, hence the nickname Big Jim.

As CBS 2's Jim Williams reported, Thompson was gregarious, driven, and smart. He loved being governor, and during his 14 years in office, the divide between Republicans and Democrats was not nearly as big as it is today.

James Robert Thompson was Illinois' longest serving governor. He was a Chicagoan, at home in jeans at the state fair, among seniors in Cicero, or at a Black church in Englewood.

Thompson was occasionally teased for that chameleon-like style on the stump.

"I'm not phony. It's not something I'm consciously doing," Thompson said on Jan. 10, 1991. "You're preaching the cadence of congregation. You don't get up there and read from a card – at least I don't. That's not my style."

Thompson, a moderate Republican, was willing to go anywhere in search of votes, whether downstate or Chicago's South Side.

Former CBS 2 Political Producer Ed Marshall covered Thompson for years.

"He was a very open, warm politician who was very good on the stump. He was an outstanding retail politician," Marshall said. "He did not take for granted any of the vote."

While working in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in the early 1960s, Thompson fought obscenity and prosecuted Lenny Bruce after the comedian held up a photograph of a woman's breast while on stage at a Chicago nightclub.

Thompson went on to make a name for himself in the 1970s as the crusading federal prosecutor in Northern Illinois, targeting corrupt politicians.

"Once he was named U.S. attorney by President Nixon, he decided he was going to pick on the biggest targets he could, and he brought down the top two lieutenants of Mayor Richard J. Daley," Marshall said.

Thompson and his staff uncovered massive voter fraud in 1972, an effort that led to 83 indictments and 66 convictions or guilty pleas. He headed prosecutions that led to the conviction of a powerful Chicago alderman and Democratic former Gov. Otto Kerner Jr., by then a federal appeals judge. He also took part in the investigation of Republican Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, who eventually pleaded no contest to tax evasion.

"One of the things he will be most remembered for was getting away from making patronage appointments for top positions in state agencies and bringing in people based on their expertise," said Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield. "He really helped shape the modernization and professionalism of state government."

Thompson was a young man, only 40, he was first elected governor in 1976. He championed large infrastructure projects such as the reconstruction of Navy Pier, and twisted arms to keep the White Sox in Chicago by building a new stadium for the team in 1988. The White Sox had threatened to move to Tampa Bay.

Thompson worked with Democrats, and even did what Republicans are loath to do today - he raised taxes.

"I have always promised you that if the day ever came when I believed that we could not maintain services without raising taxes, I would come to you, openly and plainly tell you so. That day has come," Thompson said in 1983.

"He established himself as sort of the middle-of-the-road Republican, sort of an Illinois Republican who was not dogmatic about any of the social issues, but simply wanted to get things done," Marshall said.

And rarely as a politician seem to enjoy the job more.

"I'm a joyous campaigner," Thompson said in 1991 as he began his last term.

After he was governor, Thompson also made headlines when, as a leader of the law firm Winston & Strawn, he agreed to defend Republican former Gov. George Ryan, a longtime friend, on a pro bono basis in a corruption case that eventually landed Ryan in prison. In a 2015 article about Thompson's retirement from the firm after a quarter century, Crain's Chicago Business noted that Thompson's decision to represent Ryan without receiving payment ultimately cost the firm more than $10 million.

"He was a great guy, no question about that," said Ryan, who was governor from 1999 to 2003 before being indicted on corruption charges.

Widely respected across Illinois, Thompson was honored in 1993 when the state government building in downtown Chicago that he could see from his law office was named after him. He also later served as a member of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States to examine the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Thompson family said a public wake is not possible for Thompson, Prescott wrote. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Gov. JB Pritzker released the following statement regarding Thompson's passing:

"On behalf of the entire state of Illinois, MK and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Governor Jim Thompson. As the longest-serving governor in Illinois history, 'Big Jim' was known to treat people he encountered with kindness and decency. He 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."

The Illinois Republican Party released the following statement:

"Today the Illinois Republican Party mourns the loss of a great leader in Illinois' storied history. Governor "Big Jim" Thompson exemplified a state government that worked, treated others with legendary kindness, and created lasting positive change for Illinois over his 14 years as Governor. He helped send a corrupt Governor to jail as a prosecutor, rebuilt the state's infrastructure, saved the White Sox, and presided over a healthy and prosperous Illinois. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jayne and his family at this time."

CBS 2's Jim Williams contributed to this report.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. CBS News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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