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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Illinois Republican legislator from 1975-1991 and in U.S. House until 2000
Gov. Jim Thompson’s director of law enforcement from 1977 to 1979
Resident of Rochester reflecting her life and on the town’s history
Resident of Rochester from a long line of farmers
Infantryman in Europe during World War II
Army Engineer serving in the last year of the Korean War
Director of the Capital Area Career Center in Springfield, Illinois.
Director of the Okaw Area Vocational Center in south-central Illinois.
Assistant to Governor Otto Kerner from 1963 to 1968
Worked in the Office of Price Administration during WW II while her husband was in the Navy
Lifelong farmer and active in his community
U.S. Congressman from west central Illinois during 1960s thru 1982
U.S. Congressman recounts his WW II experiences
Musician, active church volunteer, state worker, interviewed at age 97
High school basketball coach with forty years of experience.
History of Faith Lutheran Church of Springfield, Illinois.
Discusses his various duties during WW II on two Liberty Ships
U.S. Navy veteran who served on an LST in the Pacific Theater
Serving in Korea as a unit motor sergeant in the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Lifelong farmer and community leader in implementing new new technology in agriculture
High school official and coach for competitive cheer and dance.
Executive Assistant to Governor Edgar
Dixon native who attended First Christian Church with the Reagan family.
IHSA Associate Director for basketball, track and several other sports.
Medic when the unit landed on Omaha Beach only seven days after D-Day in June 1944
Principal at Chicago's Piper Elementary discusses civics education in middle schools
Early history of both Sangamon State University and Lincoln Land Community College.
Campaign Manager and Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Edgar
Adult Education Deputy Director discusses Illinois High School Equivalency.
Army Engineer and construction of Panmunjom
Long-time assistant to Gov. Jim Thompson and Executive Director of Citizens for Thompson
Pioneering plant geneticist at Monsanto working on soybeans, corn and cotton
IL Education Association administrator discusses school funding litigation.
Gold Star father tells the story of his son Jake and his death in Afghanistan
Gold Star father and speaker at Obama campaign events in 2008
Teacher, lobbyist, public affairs consultant and activist for women’s equality
A National Organization for Women staff member discusses ERA fight in Illinois
An Air Force aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War
World War II veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps
Fry's 35 years at IHSA as Assistant, Associate and Executive Director.
Girard educator discusses the consolidation of the Virden & Girard school districts.
Experiences at the IHSA with wrestling, bass fishing and basketball.
Girls' basketball coach at Chicago's Marshall High School with over 1,000 victories.
Lifelong farmer and pioneer in the organic farming movement
Chicago lawyer discusses his firm's lawsuit on Illinois's poor level of public school funding.
Former trustee of the State University Retirement System talks pensions
First two years of the Thompson administration: 1977-1978
She earned an PhD in Environmental Planning and involved in the Slow Food Movement
He began his legal career in 1962 in the same law firm as Dan Walker
Assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, and saw action in New Guinea and the Philippines
Earned a PhDin Agricultural Economics and became Executive Director of the National Soybean Research Center
First girl's basketball coach at Hinsdale South High School in Darien, Illinois.
Served with the 13th Air Force in the Pacific during WW II
Infantryman with 7th Infantry Division at Chosin Reservoir and beyond
Medical employee, community volunteer, parent
State employee, community and NAACP volunteer
U.S. Army infantryman in Europe during WW II
University of Iowa Athletic Director discusses early days of girls basketball.
Director of the Illinois State Fair Museum
Team doctor for Jacksonville High School shares his perspective on his role in sports.
U.S. Naval officer who served a number of roles in the Pacific Theater
Coach of Rockford Auburn High School Scholastic Bowl for twenty-four years.
Marine infantryman and Chosin Reservoir survivor
A teacher, writer, and historian reflects on Reagan's political career and Homecoming in Dixon celebration.
Expert on school funding models reviews Illinois's recent history.
Korean War era infantryman who served with the 3rd Infantry Division
Researcher with the Lee County Historical Society reflects on her memories of young Ronald Reagan.
One of Gov. Jim Edgar's key executive assistants discusses Edgar's attempt to fix Illinois' pension problem
Worked with Jim Edgar in the offices of Secretary of State and Governor
A township school treasurer discusses Illinois school funding.
Teacher and administrator at Quest Academy in Palatine, IL.
Communications Studies professor examines the current state of journalism in America.
A civilian survivor of the Vietnam War who fled that country in 1987
Video tour of the Abraham & Mary Lincoln home in Springfield, Illinois
Storekeeper on board the U.S.S. Mindanao in the Pacific Theater
Policy Director for Education in Lt. Governor Sheila Simon’s office.
Infantry squad leader with the 196th Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam War
Bank worker, church and community volunteer
Illinois National Guard at the dawn of the Korean War
Radio operator for the 9th Infantry Division in Europe
Superintendent for dual school districts located in Ohio, Illinois.
Engineer who served on the U.S.S. Franklin in the Pacific
A Latvian immigrant who arrived in America in 1951 after several years in German refugee camps.
Korean War infantryman and prisoner of war
94th Division veteran and prisoner of war in Germany
Illinois Pension Crisis from the perspective of a school district financial officer
Illinois based archaeologist for several decades.
A career teacher and school administrator discusses school reorganization initiatives.
Career with John Deere following his service during WWII
Early years with IL State Historical Library, 1984-1991
Kathryn's early life until high school
Kathryn Harris portrays Civil War legend Harriet Tubman.
A Church of God minister who was very active in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s
A member of Illinois' Classrooms First Commission discusses school reorganization.
Member of the Governor's Classroom First Commission discusses school reorganization.
Owner and manager of AquaRanch
Former Illinois Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and 1990 gubernatorial candidate
Following military service, he became a Representative to the Illinois House, where he focused on agricultural issues.