Interviews

Gary and Mike Watson - Baseball

Twin brothers have divided loyalties - one to the Cubs, the other to the Cardinals.

Robert Watson - Community College Project

College trustee discusses the history of Lewis and Clark Community College.

Scott Watson - School District Reorganization

Superintendent of the Bismarck-Henning and Rossville-Alvin Cooperative High School.

Harold Weaver - Rochester

World War II Army veteran and retired factory/state employee from Rochester

Dan Webb - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Memories of Thompson as U.S. Attorney and of 1982 election

Linda Weber - World War II

Employee at a drafting department that produced war planes during World War II

Clemmie Webster - Delta Sigma Theta

Charter member of Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and retired educator from Springfield

JoAnn Wehrle - Vietnam War

Wife of Roy Wehrle who accompanied him to Laos and Vietnam while he worked for the State Department

Roy Wehrle - Vietnam War

State Department official assigned to Laos and Vietnam from 1959 through 1968

Karl Weingartner - Modern Era

In-depth discussion of processing soybeans for consumption and industrial use.

Adela Weinstein - Educational Reform Act 1985

Bilingual education in Illinois since the 1985 Educational Reform Act.

Kaitlin Weitekamp - Modern Era

A city girl parlays a turf business into State FFA Presidency.

Samuel Weldon - World War II

U.S. Marine who fought at Iwo Jima in the 4th Marine Division

Charlotte West - Girls Basketball

Pioneer for women's sports (AIAW and NCAA) and basketball coach at Southern Illinois U.

Dr. Lyndon Wharton - Educational Reform Act 1985

1985 Educational Reform Act from the perspective of the IL Department of Education.

Sandy Wheeler - World War II

Child of a U.S. Army soldier during World War II

Sandy Wheeler - General Interest-Sports

Executive Director of the State Farm Golf Classic for 27 years

Dr. Ben Whisenhunt - Community College Project

History professors discusses the history of the College of DuPage.

Charles Whitaker - Civics Education

Dean of Northwestern U.'s Medill School of Journalism discusses challenges for modern journalists

Ronald Whitaker - Community College Project

Early years of Joliet Junior College.

Duane White - School District Reorganization

A parent who opposed the school consolidation of several schools.

James Whitson - World War II

Torpedo man on board the USS Herndon in Europe

David Wiant - World War II

World War II Army veteran who served in the occupation force in the Philippines

Bob Wieneke - Modern Era

Discussion with a fifth generation orchardist.

Jerome Wiese - Vietnam War

Vietnam veteran who served as a combat medic with the infantry

Frank Williams - Civil Rights Stories

A lifetime as an African-American realtor on the south side of Chicago

Hershel 'Woody' Williams - World War II

Marine Medal of Honor recipient earned at Iwo Jima

Jack Williams - World War II

A TBF Avenger gunner serving in Pacific theater on the USS Petrof Bay

Charles Wilson - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Bricklayer, musician, descendent of Springfield Race Riot victim

Jenrose Wilson - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Wife of Charles Wilson, worked in health care field

LaVon Wilson - Delta Sigma Theta

Charter member of Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and music teacher in Springfield, IL

Travis Wilson - School District Reorganization

Arthur, IL Superintendent discusses the process of Reorganization.

Paul Wisovaty - Vietnam War

Radio operator with the 9th Infantry Division during Vietnam War

Barry Witten - Civics Education

Western Illinois University professor provides information on civics education.

Randy Witter - ERA Fight in Illinois

A lobbyist in the Illinois legislature remembers the ERA fight

Sara Wolforth - Civics Education

Illinois Civics Task Force members discusses new IL program.

Roycealee J. Wood - Educational Reform Act 1985

Regional Superintendent of Schools for Lake County discusses Educational Reform Act.

Jim Woodward - IHSA

Former board president for the Illinois High School Association.

Ralph Woolard - World War II

Served in an intelligence squad as part of the 36th Infantry Division in Europe

Bill Wright - IHSA

Career at Savannah Public Schools as teacher, coach, principal and superintendent.

Brandon Wright - School District Reorganization

Wright is a lawyer specializing in school reorganization issues.

Thomas Wright - Rochester

Long-time resident of Rochester reminisces about delivering ice

Norm Wymbs - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

One of the founders of the Dixon Historic Center discusses his relationship with the Reagan family and the city of Dixon.

JungHwan Yang - Civics Education

Asst. Professor of Communications at UIUC discusses challenges to media literacy

Gerald Yaxley - World War II

Member of the 104th "Timberwolf" Division; served in European Theater

Iver Yeager - World War II

Naval officer who served on the USS Dyson (destroyer) in Pacific

Eldon Yetter - Korean War

Service with a Marine Graves Registration unit during Korean War.

Mary Yokem - Rochester

Stories of Rochester from the perspective of an African-American resident

Kent Young - School District Reorganization

Superintendent of Nauvoo-Colusa school district discusses reorganization

Marcia Young - Looking for Lincoln

Former Looking for Lincoln Board member discusses the LFL project.

Walter Zaida - Community College Project

Teacher and administrator on the history of Joliet Community College.

Ken Zehnder - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Eighteen years of service with Sec. of State, then Gov. Jim Edgar

Benedict Zemaitis - Immigrant Stories

Lithuanian immigrant describes life as a refugee in wartime Germany.

Related Materials - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Find interviews in our other Oral History Collections that relate to Governor Thompson's Administration!

Craig Anderson - Tumultuous 2020

Executive Director of the Illinois High School Association discusses impact of pandemic on Illinois sports

Mark Armstrong - Public School Funding

Kane County Supervisor of Assessments discusses property taxes and school funding.

Marc Ayers - Tumultuous 2020

Marc Ayers details the experience of losing his immunocompromised mother to COVID-19

Lisa Badger - Tumultuous 2020

Public servant and early Sangamon county COVID-19 case discusses her pandemic experience

Eric Bandy - Tumultuous 2020

Pharmacist and pharmacy owner shares his experience with the pandemic

Jason Barickman - Public School Funding

An Illinois state representative discusses changes in the Illinois school funding formula.

David Blanchette - General Interest -Statecraft

Assistant Press Secretary for Gov. Pat Quinn from 2013-2014

Ben Boer - Public School Funding

Deputy of Research for Advance Illinois discusses school funding issues.

Carissa Bouse - Tumultuous 2020

Social worker and family development specialist describes impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Harrison Brackett - Tumultuous 2020

Aldi store associate shares his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

William Brady - Tumultuous 2020

Senator Brady discusses impact of pandemic on state's economy and on IL legislature

Katie Brethorst - Tumultuous 2020

Graduate student discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic on her senior year of undergraduate and graduate school

Donya Brown - Tumultuous 2020

Certified Nursing Assistant shares how the pandemic impacted her

Robert Bruno - Public School Funding

Director of the U. of Illinois's Labor Education Program discussed 2012 Chicago Teacher Union strike

Aaron Butler - Public School Funding

Consultant for the American Institutes for Research discusses improving schools.

Chris Butler - Tumultuous 2020

Funeral Home President describes impact of COVID-19 pandemic on personal life and business

Antonio Carbajal - Tumultuous 2020

Dual Language teacher describes impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Richard W. (Rick) Carlson - Illinois Statecraft

Rick Carlson's career spanned from IL Senate intern to Executive Director of CHIP, with roles in the State Lottery and Department of Insurance.

Joshua Cauhorn - Public School Funding

Conducting research on public school funding.

Phyllis Cheaney - Tumultuous 2020

Caring for a father with COVID-19 who eventually died from the disease

Tom Christell - Central Illinois Charities

Pastor Christell was interviewed about the work of Grace Food Pantry in Springfield, Illinois

Colin Corbett - Tumultuous 2020

Vaccine trial participant discusses decision making process behind trial participation

Dan Cox - Public School Funding

Superintendent in multiple school districts discusses school funding.

Bryan Crain - Tumultuous 2020

Funeral Home Director and Owner of Crain Funeral Homes shares his experiences with the pandemic

J. David Cross - Tumultuous 2020

Periodontist discusses the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on his practice

John Cunningham - Tumultuous 2020

Kane County, Illinois Clerk during COVID-19 pandemic

Suzanne Davis - Tumultuous 2020

Greenville University president discusses impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Will Davis - Public School Funding

A state representative discusses school funding reform since 2003.

Tom Demmer - Tumultuous 2020

Illinois State Representative discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic on his rural, Northern Illinois district

Brian Duncan - Tumultuous 2020

Brian Duncan a farmer discusses how Pandemic impacted the diversified farming community and the rural area in northern Illinois beginning in March 2020 through May 2022.

Cindy Dykas - Public School Funding

Supt. of Worth School District, a K-8 Elem. School District, discusses Cook County school funding.

Sean Eifert - Tumultuous 2020

Bond county health administrator discusses the scope of the pandemic in Bond county

Jen Ellison - Illinois Celebrities and Entertainers

Jen Ellison takes the stage at The Second City Chicago's Mainstage to share insights into her journey as a writer, director, and performer, her influence on the comedy world, and the enduring legacy of Chicago's vibrant theater scene.