Remembering Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson

James Thompson, known as “Big Jim,” was the longest-serving governor of Illinois. He died Friday.

By Justin Kaufmann
James Thompson
In this Aug. 21, 2007 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson, pauses before beginning a news conference in Chicago. Thompson, known as “Big Jim” during a long career that eventually made him the state's longest-serving chief executive, has died. He was 84. AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File / AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File
James Thompson
In this Aug. 21, 2007 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson, pauses before beginning a news conference in Chicago. Thompson, known as “Big Jim” during a long career that eventually made him the state's longest-serving chief executive, has died. He was 84. AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File / AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File

Remembering Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson

James Thompson, known as “Big Jim,” was the longest-serving governor of Illinois. He died Friday.

By Justin Kaufmann
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Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson died Friday at the age of 84. He served four terms in office, and was credited with big ticket items like restoring Navy Pier and keeping the White Sox in town.

Reset checks in with former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar about what made “Big Jim” one of the most popular politicians in the state’s history.

GUEST: Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar