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.
DePaul University professor training teachers in the social studies and civics education.
First girl’s basketball coach at Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Illinois.
Vietnam veteran panel discussion in conjunction with the public debut of Ken Burns' Vietnam War documentary
World War II Marine who served with the 6th Marine Division at Guam and Okinawa
Former director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency from 2004-2007
St. Louis Cardinals bat boy tells stories from the late 1990s.
Family separation during WWII
WW II Marine, enlisted man in Pacific theater, Battle of Guam
Hall of Fame high school soccer coach at Gibault Catholic High School.
President of Southwestern College discusses the school's history.
History of John Logan Community College since its creation in 1968.
14th Armored Division half-track driver's memories of combat in Germany
Superintendent of Jasper County #1 School Districts discusses school reorganization
Superintendent in multiple school districts discusses school funding.
Infantryman who served in Patton's Third Army in Europe
U.S. Army tank commander during Korean War
Superintendent at Indian Prairie School District #204
Administrator in the Freeport School District Which Operated Freeport Junior College Eventually Highland Community College
Signal Corps officer who worked as an advisor to Koreans
Former principal at Graham Elementary School discusses year-round schooling.
Efforts to reform Illinois's pension system while Senate President, 2009-2019
Long-serving legislator and IL Senate President from 2009 to 2020
Senator Cullerton's experiences with then IL State Senator Barack Obama
Social services administrator and businesswoman
Early farm life, school, marriage and history of IL River Valley.
Kane County, Illinois Clerk during COVID-19 pandemic
ERA fight in Illinois from 1978 to June, 1982
House Majority Leader and representative from Obama's legislative district
Majority Leader Currie discusses her long career in the IL Legislature
Majority Leader Currie discusses her long career in the IL Legislature thru 1991
Illinois legislator's involvement with the Educational Reform Act of 1985.
Last of an era - a mom-and-pop grocery in Williamsville
Life on a central IL farm during Depression & WW II
Radioman with the 3rd Infantry Division in Korea from 1952-1953
Realtor, school board member, state government administrator
Vice President of Illinois Policy Institute explains the origins of Illinois's pension crisis
John Deere Company archivist shares Deere family history.
Regional Superintendent of Madison County discusses 1985 Educational Reform Act.
A school superintendent discusses the consolidation of 2 Illinois school districts.
Career teacher's critical role in launching Illinois's new civics education model.
Long-serving Republican leader in the IL House of Representatives
A Jewish immigrant from Apartheid era South Africa.
NAACP and Habitat for Humanity volunteer, plaintiff in civil rights suit
Director of Athletics for Chicago Public Schools discusses impact of sports in Chicago.
Oral Historian and Former Director of the Lincoln Legal Papers
Oral Historian and Former Director of the Lincoln Legal Papers.
Oral Historian and Former Director of the Lincoln Legal Papers
Emeritus Professor of History and Geography at Illinois College in Jacksonville.
Member of the 13th Army Division in Europe
Raising sheep and becoming a 4H sheep advisor.
A state representative discusses school funding reform since 2003.
Life-long educator and member of the State Board of Education, who dealt with reorganization issues.
A private citizen's involvement in the Virden school district consolidation.
Assistant to Governor Dan Walker from 1973 to 1977
Executive Director of the Prairie Crossing Charter School discusses the school’s history and mission.
Minister at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, IL.
Director of the Knox-Warren Special Education Cooperative.
A long-time school superintendent shares her extensive experience on school reorganization issues.
Julian D'Esposito served as Governor Jim Thompson's chief counsel from 1977 to 1981 and as his director of staff.
Republican legislator from Kane County, 1981 to 1999
Director of IHPA and State Historian from 1985-1991
A Korean girl growing up in a traditional Confucian & patriarchal family in during the war.
A Korean girl growing up in a traditional Confucian & patriarchal family in during the War
Marine wounded at Iwo Jima
Vice President of Student Development at Rock Valley College.
State Senator and former Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Edgar
Legislative liaison for Governor Jim Thompson
York High School Social Studies chair discusses civics education.
Former Director of Guest Services at ALPLM
Dean of Adult Education at Waubonsee Community College discusses several initiatives.
A social studies teacher discusses the state of Illinois's civics requirements.
United States Navy Air Corps veteran who served in the Pacific Theater
Site manager for Bishop Hill Historic Site discusses its history
Peace Corps experiences throughout the world, and a Mother by Choice.
Tank Destroyer company commander discusses combat in Europe
Site Manager for Fort de Chartres discusses his 45 years at the site
History of Elgin Community College.
B-26 pilot in the European theater in 1945 who also served in the post-war occupation force
Member of the 4th Infantry Division and prisoner of war in Germany
Marine Lieutenant wounded in Korea
Democratic state legislator representing the Decatur area from 1975 to 1995
Teacher, principal and union leader from Macomb talks about pensions
Career educator and professor of educational administration discusses school reorganization issues.
Supt. of Worth School District, a K-8 Elem. School District, discusses Cook County school funding.
An educator discusses Illinois high school requirements regarding economics and financial literacy.
Navy Petty Officer who served in the Pacific on the USS Ajax
Senior administration at Aurora U. Institute for Collaboration discusses STEM education.
Director of Alumni Relations for Wheaton Academy discusses the school's history and legacy.
Discussion of multi-generational family life on an Illinois orchard.
Illinois State Representative (R) & Hutsonville District Superintendent discusses school reorganization issues.
Executive Director of IL Assn of School Boards shares views on state pension crisis
Egyptian-born Jew who immigrated to the United States as a young woman.
Wife of Governor Jim Edgar and First Lady of Illinois
Older brother of former Governor Jim Edgar
Former Illinois Governor (1991-1999) and potential opponent in 2004 Senate Race
Jim Edgar's years with Gov. Thompson as legislative liaison and Secretary
Former Illinois Governor (1991-1999)
Gov. and Mrs. Edgar discuss their life together in the public eye