Interviews
Search more than 1,000 interviews in more than a dozen oral history collections. Search by collection name or interviewee name.
Take me back to the Oral History landing page.
A career teacher and coach becomes successful IL State Senator
Accomplishments of a career teacher and coach at Okawville High School
Growing up on a southern Illinois dairy farm in 1940s & '50s
Career educator and Illinois State Legislator discusses school reorganization issues.
Army tank crew member serving in Korea during the last year of the war
President of Sangamon State University and Chancellor of University of Illinois at Springfield.
Former women’s Athletic Director at ISU and president of the Assn for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.
Head of Gov. Edgar's special task force on welfare reform
A discussion of Illinois's long public pension history
Legislative Assistant to Governor Otto Kerner when the Jr. College Act of 1965 was passed.
Sen. Manar discusses SB 1947, landmark school funding legislation.
Gov. Jim Thompson's budget director from 1977 to 1990
Concordia University professor discusses Illinois school funding.
Director of School and Community Experiences at the University of Illinois.
Former Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (1991-2003)
Farming from a farm wife's perspective.
Illinoisan assigned to Puerto Rico's 65th Inf Regiment during Korean War
Chaplain and former superintendent for St. Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois.
Respected TV journalist discusses media literacy, ethics and challenges for journalists
African-American quartermaster soldier who served in northern Europe
Principal at University High School (UIS) discusses the Lab School.
Looking for Lincoln in Jacksonville and evolution of the LOL Board of Directors.
Rabbi for the Temple Israel in Springfield, IL for 43 years.
Historian for the First Christian Church in Dixon talks about his research on the city and its connection to Ronald Reagan.
Member of the 1976 U.S. Woman’s Olympic Team and teammate and friend of Charlotte Lewis.
WW II Submariner on boat patrolling Japanese shipping lanes in the Pacific
First President of the IL Math Science Academy discusses its creation and development.
Winnebago County Health Department administrator details the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic
Artillery forward observer's service in Vietnam
Professor of Journalism at DePaul University discusses civics education
Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications for Elgin Academy.
WW II Martin tells his experiences in medical supply, being wounded and postwar work.
Long-time instructor discusses history of Kishwaukee College.
One of Illinois' Master Farmers, and an entrepreneur from Logan County
Martin's involvement with Looking For Lincoln from its inception.
Discussion of a Mexican migrant worker at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, IL.
Discussion of a Mexican migrant worker at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, IL.
Non-profit worker shares her experience with employment instability and personal growth during the COVID-19 pandemic
Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.
Executive Director of Center for Tax & Budget Accountability discusses pension reform
Matthews’ experiences in WW II in the Pacific & Japan
WW II veteran and contractor in the Rochester area for over fifty years
Infantryman in the 99th Infantry Division in Europe
A life officiating high school volleyball in Illinois.
Creator of Eastern Illinois Historic Administration Master’s Degree program discusses his career
Mexican immigrant and manager for the migrant labor force at Eckert’s Orchard in Belleville, IL.
Manager for the migrant labor force at Eckert's Orchard in Belleville, IL.
Rep. Mayfield's efforts to improve efficiency through school reorganization.
Elementary School principal describes impact of COVID-19 on the school
AME Presiding Elder who ministered to public congregations and within the halls of the IL Legislature
AME Presiding Elder who ministered to public congregations and within the halls of the IL Legislature
AME Presiding Elder who ministered to public congregations and within the halls of the IL Legislature
Parents' perspective on why they sent their children to a parochial school.
Discussion of historic farm practices at the Kline Creek Farms.
Quartermaster and interpreter with the Free French in the European Theater
Personal Assistant to Governor Jim Edgar
Will County, Illinois grain and livestock farmer
Prominent Springfield journalist and Cold War era Navy veteran
Cold War era Navy veteran
Director of the Department of MHDD and Director of DCFS for Governor Edgar
A former Illinois State Superintendent discusses school consolidation issues.
Creators of Presidential Museum's historical figures discuss their art
Thor role player discusses the importance of heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Former coach, athletic director, principal and IHSA administrator reflects on the IHSA.
A farm wife discusses the pain of loosing the family peach orchard.
Baptist pastor's ministry in Kansas, Texas and in Springfield, Illinois
The son and daughter-in-law of Ralph 'Mac' McKenzie, Ronald Reagan's football coach at Eureka College discuss Reagan's college years.
A central Illinois farmer and manager of an Agricultural Museum.
Director of the Illinois State Museum from 1977 to 2005.
An African-American Marine, and veteran of WW II.
Service with the U.S. Coast Guard in immediate post-WW II era
Growing up African-American in small town southern Illinois.
Korean War veteran who spent his tour on a small island off the coast of North Korea
The director of the state's first Cooperative High School since 2009.
African-American infantryman with 45th Division during the Korea War
Army truck driver who served both in Persia and China-Burma-India
Licensed Clinical Social Worker shares his experience with the COVID-19 pandemic
Lincoln, IL business owner details the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her small business
Son of a hog farmer becomes IL State FFA Vice President.
Conscientious objector during the Vietnam War who nevertheless spent five years in South Vietnam
Chaplain's Assistant during the Vietnam War
Executive Director of the Illinois Board of Elections from 1976 to 2003
Thomas Kelly High boys' and girls' soccer coach discusses his teams' successes.
History of Sauk Valley Community College and IL Community Colleges in general.
Legal counsel to Bill Clinton and mentor to Barack Obama
Independent Democrat who served IL legislature, then the U.S. House, finishing career as legal counsel to Pres. Bill Clinton
A clinical nursing professor details the impact of the pandemic on her university and her nursing career
Long-time resident, village president and township president for Williamsville
Coordinator for Curriculum and Assessment at SIU-C discusses civics education
Descendants of Leonard Trainer discuss their ancestor's connection to the William Herndon home
An auditor discusses his work as a school auditor in Illinois.
WW II Army veteran who was stationed at Sugamo Prison guarding Japanese war criminals in 1947
Counter-Intelligence soldier during Korean War
Former FCC chair for Pres. Kennedy and friend and mentor to Barack Obama
Former FCC chair for Pres. Kennedy and friend and mentor to Barack Obama
Republican Illinois State Senator from 1965 through 1980
Navy chief petty officer (yeoman) during both World War II and the Korean War
Navy chief petty officer (yeoman) during both World War II and the Korean War
A talk with three of the prime movers behind the creation of the Presidential Library and Museum
Assistant Press Secretary for Gov. Jim Thompson administration