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.
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
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.
Renowned expert on 1970 state Constitution discusses IL pension crisis
Law professor at the John Marshall Law School
In 1970 Lousin was selected to serve first as a staff assistant and later as the parliamentarian in the Illinois House of Representations
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
Career educator and Illinois State Legislator discusses school reorganization issues.
Senator Dave Luechtefeld grew up on a dairy farm outside Okawville, Illinois
Career educator and Illinois State Legislator discusses school reorganization issues.
Awarded a Bronze Star for valor as well as South Korea's Wharang Distinguished Military Service Medal
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.
Budget Process under Thompson and Life in the Administration
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)
Farm manager in Peoria County
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.
Submarine duty on board for five of the Bergall's combat patrols, hunting in the Japanese shipping lanes around Saipan
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.
Medical supply NCO in France with the 84th Infantry Division
Long-time instructor discusses history of Kishwaukee College.
Illinois Master Farmers in 2017
Martin's involvement with Looking For Lincoln from its inception.
Jose was born in Mexico, with six years of school.
Since 1994 he's worked for Eckert's Orchards in Belleville, IL.
Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.
Executive Director of Center for Tax & Budget Accountability discusses pension reform
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.
Born in Mexico, grocery store and Mexican restaurant owner in Belleville
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
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.
Demonstrations of older farm activities that occur on the farm today
Served as a Quartermaster and interpreter in the European Theater
Personal Assistant to Governor Jim Edgar
Life on a typical family farm in Will County, Illinois
Prominent Springfield journalist and Cold War era Navy veteran
Served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1963, including a tour on the carrier USS Hornet.
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
Former coach, athletic director, principal and IHSA administrator reflects on the IHSA.
Story of she and her husband loosing the family's peach orchard, land that had been in the family since the 1820s
The son and daughter-in-law of Ralph 'Mac' McKenzie, Ronald Reagan's football coach at Eureka College discuss Reagan's college years.
Agriculture Museum in Quincy, which focuses on farming of the 1930s
Director of the Illinois State Museum from 1977 to 2005.
Assigned to an all-black Service Battalion in the 2nd Marine Division
Service with the U.S. Coast Guard in immediate post-WW II era
Growing up African-American in small town southern Illinois.
Reassigned to work in a hospital on a small island just of the west 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
Illinois 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
Long-time resident, village president and township president for Williamsville
Director of Public Aid for Gov. Thompson administration
Farm in rural Sangamon County formerly owned by William Herndon
An auditor discusses his work as a school auditor in Illinois.
Assigned to Sugamo Prison in Tokyo, where those Japanese accused of war crimes were imprisoned