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 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
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.
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
Army infantryman during first year of brutal combat during Korean War
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
A 'Rosy the Riveter' during WWII
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
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
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
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.
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.
Executive Director of Center for Tax & Budget Accountability discusses pension reform
Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.
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.
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