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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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.
Discussion of historic farm practices at the Kline Creek Farms.
Quartermaster and interpreter with the Free French in the European Theater
Personal Assistant to Governor Jim Edgar
Will County, Illinois grain and livestock farmer
Prominent Springfield journalist and Cold War era Navy veteran
Cold War era Navy veteran
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.
A farm wife discusses the pain of loosing the family peach orchard.
Baptist pastor's ministry in Kansas, Texas and in Springfield, Illinois
The son and daughter-in-law of Ralph 'Mac' McKenzie, Ronald Reagan's football coach at Eureka College discuss Reagan's college years.
A central Illinois farmer and manager of an Agricultural Museum.
Director of the Illinois State Museum from 1977 to 2005.
An African-American Marine, and veteran of WW II.
Service with the U.S. Coast Guard in immediate post-WW II era
Growing up African-American in small town southern Illinois.
Korean War veteran who spent his tour on a small island off the 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
Lincoln, IL business owner details the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her small business.
Son of a hog farmer becomes IL 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
Coordinator for Curriculum and Assessment at SIU-C discusses civics education
Descendants of Leonard Trainer discuss their ancestor's connection to the William Herndon home
An auditor discusses his work as a school auditor in Illinois.
WW II Army veteran who was stationed at Sugamo Prison guarding Japanese war criminals in 1947
Counter-Intelligence soldier during Korean War
Former FCC chair for Pres. Kennedy and friend and mentor to Barack Obama
Former FCC chair for Pres. Kennedy and friend and mentor to Barack Obama
Navy chief petty officer (yeoman) during both World War II and the Korean War
Republican Illinois State Senator from 1965 through 1980
Navy chief petty officer (yeoman) during both World War II and the Korean War
A talk with three of the prime movers behind the creation of the Presidential Library and Museum
Assistant Press Secretary for Gov. Jim Thompson administration
The IHPA Director from 1991 thru 2002, and key player in creation of ALPLM
Ex. Director of the IL Community College Trustees Assn shares his views on IL pension crisis
Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.
President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers discusses Illinois's pension crisis
Former women’s basketball coach for California State-Fullerton, 1976 Olympic Games, and UCLA.
A resident of Rochester, IL and a community historian
Journey from Catholic Priest to Social Work to Lutheran ministry.
An intern's/aid's perspective of the Gov. Quinn administration
Disrupted wedding plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic
State Board of Education and North Central Director discusses the 1985 Educational Reform Act
An atheist's religious journey
Infantryman with the 89th Division in it's fight across Germany
Co-Director for the Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence at DePaul University discusses training of journalists
Rose (Russler) Moser grew up in Cold War era East Germany before immigrating to the United States
Prominent leader of Springfield Muslim community talks about her faith journey.
Air Force service in Okinawa and S. Korea during Vietnam War
Civil Affairs officer with service both in Bosnia and Iraq
President of the Civic Federation gives his views on Illinois' pension crisis
Career Air Force officer, most of that with the Illinois Air National Guard
Journalism professor discusses ethics and media bias.
Student at Downers Grove North gives her perspective of the IHSA journalism competition.
Service as a cook with the 25th Infantry Division in 1968
Senator Matt Murphy (Republican) discusses Illinois pension crisis and Senate Bill 1
Former girl's basketball coach at Centralia High School in Illinois .
Marine Intelligence officer who saw action at Iwo Jima and Japanese occupation
Founder and CEO or Chicago Hope Academy talks about the school.
U.S. Navy veteran who served on a LST in the Pacific Theater
Artilleryman advisor to the 8th ROK Division Artillery troops
Downers Grove North participant in the IHSA Journalism competition.
Many uses of soybean products for food.
Civics education at Shawnee High School.
Army infantryman during Korean War
U. of IL (Urbana-Champaign) student during the COVID-19 pandemic
State Representative discusses Illinois Pension Crisis
Discussion with a central Illinois grain and livestock farmer and current President of the IL Farm Bureau.
IL State Senator during Illinois Legislature's ERA battles
Democratic Candidate for Governor in 1994
IL State Senator Democratic Candidate for Governor in 1994
History of Monticello College, a two-year school for women.
Legendary York High School cross country & track coach discusses his career.
Marine infantryman during the Vietnam War, and an Army transportation NCO during the 1991 Iraq War War
Army National Guardsman who served with a transportation company during the 1991 Iraq War
Infantryman during tumultuous first year of Korean War
A broker's view of the Illinois County School Facilities Tax.
Retired school superintendent, author and frequent speaker on IL pension crisis
Superintendent for East Aurora School District #131
Executive assistant for Edgar on Human Services issues from 1991 to 1994
Former representative and lifelong student of Illinois politics shares his views on the state's future
Former representative and lifelong student of Illinois politics shares his views on the state's future
Former representative and lifelong student of Illinois politics shares his views on the state's future
High School principal's experiences with the IHSA.
Broadcasting sporting events & championships for the IHSA.
Morton College administrator discusses the school's long history.
Trusted political strategist and chair of IL Commerce Commission for Gov. Thompson