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.
WGN broadcaster who became the voice of agriculture for American farmers.
Superintendent of Elgin School District discusses school funding, past and present
Former Illinois State Superintendent discusses the 1985 Educational Reform Act
Life-long activist for women's and LGBT rights shares memories of 1982
The Chicago Public School's GoCPS procedure for school selection.
History of Danville Area Community College from 1966 to 2013.
Coach for the first girl's basketball team at Downers South High School in Downers Grove, IL.
President of Richland Community College discusses the school's history.
From youth on a livestock farm, to crop production and sweet corn, to FSA Director.
IHPA Site Interpreter and Administrator
Swim coach for the highly successful program at Rosary High School.
AFSCME Communications Director's perspective on Illinois pension crisis
History of Highland Community College from perspective of College trustee.
An aerial applicator discusses his long career in the industry
Life-long educator and friend of descendants of Gov. Richard Oglesby
Infantry veteran with 4th Infantry Division who also worked as a clerk
Life-long conservative activist and founder of the Stop-ERA movement which was credited with the defeat of the ERA Amendment in 1982
Legal counsel to Adlai Stevenson III during 1982 and 1986 gubernatorial elections
Faculty member at Loyola University's School of Education discusses civics education
Civilian instructor of Morse code during World War II
Former Budget Director for Gov. Jim Edgar & George Ryan talks about pension crisis
Governor Edgar's director of CMS (1991-1994)
IL State Senator and sponsor of a school district reorganization bill.
Political reporter and columnist with the Springfield State-Journal Register
Statehouse reporter shares his impressions of contemporary IL politics
Statehouse reporter shares his impressions of contemporary IL poli
One of Parkland College's first employees shares the school's history.
Esteemed Lincoln scholar and former Illinois State Historian.
Lutheran minister discusses career in Missouri Synod Lutheran and later the ELCA church.
Acclaimed sportscaster, broadcaster and radio personality in Central Illinois.
Navy veteran on the USS Neville supporting the D-Day landings on Utah Beach
Former head Women's Basketball couch at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
An advocate for women's athletics who worked at Illinois State University.
Discussion regarding organic farming and a trustee of Scully farming estate.
President of the Arthur School District discusses reorganization.
USS Nevada crew member remembers Pearl Harbor attack and more
Discussion of being an Area Livestock Adviser and Animal Systems Educator for the U of Illinois Extension Service.
Discussion with the former Illinois State Board of Education Bilingual Director.
Republican representative from Naperville discusses her work on pension reform
Veteran in the Navy, in the years following the integration of the services
Minister, parent, community and church volunteer
Aircraft mechanic on the USS Yorktown during battles of Coral Sea and Midway
Illinois's community college system history and development.
Chicago lawyer who took on the city's Democratic machine
Former political reporter and executive director of the Paul Simon Institute.
Former Chancellor of the Southern Illinois University (SIU) System discusses his distinguished career.
The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.
Dixon native and the manager of the Dixon 'Telegraph' during the Reagan administration.
Dr. Shea, (State Board of Education and Illinois Education Association) gives an administrator's perspective of the 1985 Educational Reform Act
Developing a Site Based Reporting Initiative to support the ESSA Act.
Reagan campaign staffer recalls working on Reagan presidential campaigns
Reflections of a life-long farmer and former Board of Director member of the IL Farm Bureau.
College student and student athlete's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic
Assistant principal of Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln, IL discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic
A lobbyist in the IL Legislature for over forty years
A lobbyist in the IL Legislature for over forty years and author of "A Just Cause," on the impeachment of Gov. Blagojevich
RF-4 Pilot & navigator who spent six years in the Hanoi Hilton as a POW
Senior Director of Education and Training for the News Literacy Project
Lt. Governor Simon's work with the Classroom First Commission.
Scholar on Illinois government and politics discusses civics education.
A life as a teacher , singer and one dedicated to Christian service
Retired librarian, directly involved in Civil Rights demonstrations
Walking tour of peach packing at the Rendleman Orchards.
Walking tour of peach packing at the Rendleman Orchards.
Legendary radio sports reporter discusses his 43 year career.
Cultural interpreter for the Macon County Conservation Dist..
State Board of Education Deputy Director discusses recognition for non-public schools.
Life-long farmer shares memories of farming in the late 1930s and 1940s
Former girl’s head basketball coach at Hinsdale South High School in Illinois.
West Aurora assistant superintendent discusses funding challenges and successes.
Army National Guard officer's work with Iraqi police in Baghdad in 2006
Successful football coach and former Chicago Public Schools Director of Sports Administration.
Army Infantryman in Korean and Vietnam Wars
Army Infantryman in Korean and Vietnam Wars
Touring the nation's Presidential Libraries & Museums.
Executive Director for Looking for Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area from 2008 thru 2010.
Aide to Senator Charles Percy shares his memories of Percy and Darin LaHood
B-17 Bomber Pilot in WWII
Truck driver for the U.S. Marine Corps on Okinawa
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Coordinator
Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area’s comprehensive management plan.
Wore a POW bracelet for Captain John Borling during Vietnam War
Delegate to the 1970 IL Constitutional Convention discusses the Pension Clause
Executive Director of the Garvey-Tubman Cultural Arts and Research Center details her experiences with the pandemic
Career educator's use of Our American Voice and Citizen U in civics education
Army mortar crewman during the Korean War, and a Prisoner of War for most of the war
Bill and Charlotte discuss the life and coping process of an ex-POW
Service in Basra, Iraq with a Reserve MP unit from 2009 to 2010
Educator and administrator at two Illinois community colleges.
Infantry Lieutenant in Europe in the last year of WW II
Regional Superintendent of ROE District # 47 discusses that district's consolidation.
Aurora University professor discusses social studies education.
Coles County Health Department Administrator describes impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
West German immigrant discusses life in post-war Germany.
WW II paratrooper with the 101st Airborne at Bastogne
Former broadcaster discusses news literacy in civics education.
U.S. Naval officer on board an LST in the Pacific
Infantryman with Company C of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division
Known as the Sweetheart of the British Forces due to her portrayal as a 1940s version singer and dancer entertaining World War II veterans