Architect Helmut Jahn's death reignites debate over sale of James R. Thompson Center
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times Arguing that the controversial Loop structure is Helmut Jahn’s definitive achievement, preservation advocates said Monday that the untimely death of the German architect “really does cement the argument that the Thompson Center should be preserved.” Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who put the building up for sale last week, on Monday said the state lost “a great artistic genius,” but the James R. Thompson Center doesn’t fall under the category of great, artistic work. “It’s not the greatest example of his work,” the governor said. Jahn, 81, who designed the sta...