James R. Thompson Center facts for kids
The James R. Thompson Center is a very tall and unique building located in Chicago, Illinois. It stands about 93 meters (305 feet) high, which is like a 30-story building! This special building is home to many important offices for the state of Illinois. It first opened its doors in May 1985, and back then, it was known as the State of Illinois Center.
In 1993, the building was renamed to honor James R. Thompson. He was a former governor of Illinois, which is like the leader of the state. The Thompson Center is so big that it takes up an entire city block! Sometimes, people still call it the State of Illinois Building.
Exploring the Thompson Center
Visitors to the Thompson Center can see its amazing inside area, called an atrium. This huge space goes up all 17 floors of the building! Sunlight streams in through the large skylight at the top.
Building Design and Purpose
The offices inside the building are designed to be very open. You can often see people working from different floors. This open design was meant to show that the government is "open in action." It's a way to make government feel more transparent and connected to the people it serves.
Images for kids
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Atrium of the James R. Thompson Center
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Looking up from the interior atrium.
