Interviews
Search more than 1,000 interviews in more than a dozen oral history collections. Search by collection name or interviewee name.
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Involvement in Illinois sports as a student, coach, principal and official.
President of the IL Education Association reflects on the state's pension crisis
President of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School discusses the school's history and mission.
History of Prairie State College (1967) and its forerunner, Bloom Township Junior College.
Airman in the European theater serving in a Fighter Control Squadron
Supporter and promoter of women's athletics.
Composer of the musical score for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
Dixon postal worker who spearheaded the movement to restore and promote the Reagan Home
IHSA Assistant Director for Cheerleading, Dance, Speech, Debate, Drama and Journalism.
Naval small boat officer discusses landing Marines on Iwo Jima and his injury
Light tank driver seeing combat near the DMZ in South Vietman
Teacher and curriculum coordinator for the on-line Illinois Virtual School.
St. Francis HS volleyball coach for over 40 years.
English war bride and WW II blitz survivor
Young American girl held prisoner by Japanese in the Philippines
Calhoun County farmer, WW II Navy veteran and Soil Conservation Service employee during his over 100 years
A career teacher discusses the early history of Illinois Valley Community College.
Illinois political consultant from the late 1960s thru the early 2000s
Experiences teaching Civics and serving as a Civics Trainer for Boone-Winnebago Counties
IL Adjutant General who spent a career as a minister and Army chaplain
A career Christian Church-Disciples of Christ minister and Army National Guard chaplain
Soybean research at National Soybean Research Center, U of Illinois.
Governor Jim Edgar's lieutenant governor (1991-1999)
Polish soldier and World War II emigrates to the U.S.
WW II Polish soldier in Russian & German POW camps
Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps. Marine Corps supply specialist during the Vietnam War
Typist for the Women's Navy Reserves
Petty Officer on board the U.S.S. Tebenna in the Pacific Theater
Personal friend of Jim and Brenda Edgar and Managing Editor of the Mattoon Journal-Gazette
Alden-Hebron High School's coach for eight-man football.
Vietnamese boat person who fled his native land in 1979.
Former director of assisted living facility discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Vietnamese boat person who left that country in 1979 when 7 years old
Marine who patrolled extensively in Quang Ngai province in 1969-70
Civil Affairs officer with service both in Bosnia and Iraq
Asst. Secretary of the Army during the Barack Obama administration
Democratic Caucus staff member's memories of Educational Reform Act of 1985.
English teacher at Lake Land College discusses the Community College's history.
Korean War veteran who recalls life on the home front during World War II
IL House Democratic leader discusses the Gov. Blagojevich impeachment
Greek immigrant describes her childhood in Crete and life as an American soldier's wife.
A native of Dixon who is active in historical preservation and promotion.
U.S. Naval officer on board LCI ships in Europe
Austrian immigrant of Jewish descent whose family came to the United States prior to WW II.
History of Triton College in River Grove, Illinois.
Navy seaman assigned to an LST during the Korean War
Discussion as a farmer and Rodeo promoter in Illinois.
High School sports official reflects on officiating football, basketball and baseball.
History/Social Studies Teaching Coordinator at Eastern Illinois University.
Life-long journalist and Jim Edgar's Press Secretary from 1987 to 1997
Life-long journalist and Jim Edgar's Press Secretary from 1987 to 1997
Mike Lawrence, born on August 17, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, grew up in Galesburg.
A native of Dixon, Illinois who attended the Presidential Inauguration of Ronald Reagan.
Worked alongside German POWs on his family's farm
Former Executive Director/Chancellor of the Board of Governors discusses his years in higher ed.
Executive Director of the IL Principal's Association discusses school funding.
An attorney's involvement in the Dan Walker administration and in landmark Supreme Court cases
An attorney's involvement in the Dan Walker administration and in landmark Supreme Court cases.
President of Oakton Community College traces the school's history.
History of Moraine Valley Community College.
Assigned to the USS Boxer, an Essex class aircraft carrier
Army aviator an Medivac pilot during the Vietnam War
Illinois State Superintendent from 1988 to 1994 discusses school reorganizations.
A non-commissioned officer remembers his experiences during the Vietnam War
Folksinger for the ERA movement in the 1970s, 1980s and today
A discussion on school funding and the Committee for Educational Rights v Edgar lawsuit.
Kelly Leonard, Second City’s Vice President of Creativity, Innovation, and Business Development, produced iconic revues featuring stars like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
Immigrant from Venezuela who settled in Florida in mid-1990s.
Growing up in Venezuela and immigrating to the U.S. in 1995.
Air Force veteran during Cuban Missile Crisis and in Vietnam
Journalism teacher discusses the IHSA's journalism competitions.
Executive Director of the IL Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission discusses centennial events
IL State University basketball star, Olympian and professional basketball player.
A retired teacher and charter member of Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
A former U S Attorney in Springfield, IL and Civil Rights Activist
Army infantryman during first year of brutal combat during Korean War
Anne Libera discusses her career in improvisational comedy, her work at The Second City, and the evolution of modern comedy through collaboration, performance, and cultural change.
Illinois State Senator discusses the legacy of the 1985 Educational Reform Act.
Former IBHE Dept. Dir. for Fiscal Affairs discusses budgeting and funding models.
Administrator for the Warren County Health Department
East Aurora High School band director discusses music competitions.
Director of Athletics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale form 1985 to 1987.
Travel aide, scheduler, then advisor on the policy staff for Governor Jim Edgar
Educational reform from the perspective of Gov. Thompson's Education staff and State Board of Education.
11th Armored Division tanker's experiences at the Bulge and Central Europe
Home front memories of World War II and VJ Day in San Francisco
Veteran, factory worker, first black uniformed police officer in Springfield
Infantryman in 106th IN Div captured during Battle of the Bulge
Lockhart discusses his over 50 years as a lobbyist in Springfield
A 'Rosy the Riveter' during WWII
Community activist, born in Jamaica
Long-time member of Luther Memorial Church discusses the congregation's history.
Law professor at the John Marshall Law School
Renowned expert on 1970 state Constitution discusses IL pension crisis
Chair of Civil Service Commission during Gov. Thompson administration
Research Assistant at 1970 Constitutional Convention & Civil Service Commission during Gov. Thompson administration
Ann Lousin, the Parliamentarian for the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975
Former director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum discusses its founding.
Farmer, World War II veteran and career ag teacher shares his insights
IL State Senator and colleague of Barack Obama