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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A career as a senior administrator in American community colleges.
Career educator discusses a variety of issues pertaining to school reorganization.
Joliet Junior College administrator discusses the school's early history.
Past President of the IL Retired Teachers Association gives his views on the pension crisis
40th Division Soldier during the Korean War
Girl’s head basketball coach at Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois.
Scholar of Lincoln and Illinois studies and former Professor of History at Illinois State University.
Engineering professor at Bradley University discusses changes in higher education over the past 60 years
The 'Carr v. Koch' Illinois Supreme Court case on school district property taxes.
President of Lincoln Land Community College discusses the school's history.
A life-long journalist discusses the development of civics education legislation in IL.
Pastor from Sterling, Illinois who served on the Reagan Boyhood Home Board for many years discusses his multiple encounters with the former president.
Medical equipment maintenance specialist during Vietnam War
Superintendent of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.
African-American quartermaster in a segregated army
Marine aviator's career from Vietnam thru Gulf War and Beyond
Marine aviator's career from Vietnam thru Gulf War and Beyond
A parent who opposed a suggested school consolidation for three small schools.
Iowa National Guardsman's experiences in Kuwait (2004) and Afghanistan (2011)
Historical overview of education funding and its future challenges.
Ex. Director of Chicago's Latino Forum discusses the Education Funding Advisory Board and minority education.
IL House of Representatives member from 1977 - 1992 and pro-life advocate
IL House of Representatives member from 1977 - 1992 and pro-life advocate
Teacher, lobbyist and activist for women’s equality
Gov. Rauner's Sec. of Education talks about school funding legislation.
IL High School Association from a Private School perspective.
Tom's experiences with brother Pat Quinn's petition drives and election campaigns
Principal's perspective of Bismarck-Henning & Rossville-Alvin Cooperative High School.
Former Illinois State Senator discusses differences between Illinois schools and Arizona schools during the COVID-19 pandemic
Illinois State Senator from 1997 through July 2017, & Republican Minority Leader since 2009
State Senator Radogno's memories of her service with state Senator Obama
Marine who served in Vietnam in 1964-65 as a radio operator in an infantry regiment
Former Luther South High School principal reflects on his life in sports.
Remote worker and mother describes the impact of the pandemic on her life
Rochester's history in 19th century and Ramsey's life in Rochester.
Former women's head softball and basketball coach at Illinois Central College.
Naval officer who served on a destroyer and a cruiser off Vietnamese waters
U.S. Army veteran, serving in the 132nd Infantry in Europe and the Pacific
Studied the Underground Railroad extensively
John Wood Community College's attorney discusses the institution's history.
B-26 tail gunner in southern Europe during WW II
Army soldier who served in a communications section of I Corps in 1952-1953
Engineer advisor with MAC-V in the Mekong Delta
CEO and president of the Aurora Civic Center Authority discusses impact of COVID-19 pandemic on theater community.
Chicago-based feminist who has been active in the women’s issues since the 1970s
Bond County Board Member and Walmart Online Sales Associate describes the impact of the pandemic
Interview with Ron Reagan, the son of former President Ronald Reagan
Award-winning band director at Ottawa Township High School.
Flight engineer on board a C-54 Skymaster
A livestock farmer's son becomes an agriculture teacher.
Lived in Korea in 1946-1947 while his father served in the Provisional Government
From growing up a farm to an historian's perspective in world farming practices.
Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Thompson (1983-1989) and Jim Edgar (1994)
Chief of Staff for Governor Jim Thompson (1983-1989)
Reineke worked in a various positions in the Jim Thompson administration
Reineke worked for ten years in various capacities in the Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar administrations
Former Bond County Clerk discusses school funding and election oversight.
Find Interviews in our other Oral History Collections that relate to ERA
Find interviews in our other Oral History Collections that relate to Governor Thompson's Administration!
Executive director of Illinois Journalism Education Association talks about the inclusion of journalism competitions in the IHSA.
Combat Engineer during dark days of the Korean War
Worked in the Real Estate business following in his Mothers Footsteps
NPR reporter shares Illinois public school funding stories
A family's garden and a kibbutz in Israel led to Growing Home, Inc.
U.S. Army infantry platoon leader with 101st Airborne Div
Charter member of Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter and retired program manager
U.S. Army veteran who served in a Quartermaster unit in the Pacific
Teacher, coach and chaplain at Marion Academy in Aurora.
David Risley 2015 Interview Judicial Attaché to Egypt discusses that nation's recent revolutions
War on Terror-2007, David worked on Saddam Hussein’s War Crimes trial
Vietnam veteran who served as a fire control technician on a navy vessel
Ramp serviceman at United Airlines describes his experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic
A Will County farm couples' memories of their life on the farm.
Served as Governor Jim Edgar's chief legal counsel from 1995 to 1997
A young woman's career as a personnel manager during 1950s thru 1980s.
Civil rights activist; small business owner; volunteer
Illinois State Senator (1970-1993)
Illinois State Senator (1970-1993)
Former Ottawa Township High School student discusses the school's successful music program.
BRC Chairman discusses his company's design of Lincoln Museum exhibits
Travel aide for Governor Thompson reflects on his experiences
Daughter of the former American Farm Bureau president Charles Shuman.
A native of Cherry Illinois and shares his insights of the Cherry Mine disaster.
Former coach and official from Illinois Plainfield, Illinois.
Montadale sheep raiser explains showing sheep and wool production.
Former State Representative from Winnebago County, IL
Emigrated from Slovenia to the United States in 1933.
General Counsel for IL Education Association discusses Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court case
Illinois National Guardsman who served in the European Theater
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority discuss the Springfield graduate chapter
Deputy Governor for Gov. Thompson's administration
Senior Medical Officer and former Co-Lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health details her pandemic experiences
A civics educator provides information about teacher training and high school civics education.
Life as an agronomist, soil scientist and University professor.
Launching an Illinois vineyard and winery late in life.
Supervisor of Assessments for Lee County, Illinois.
Chicago Tribune sports writer who spent his life covering Chicagoland high school sports.
A West Bank Palestinian’s journey to the United States.
U.S. Naval officer who transported troops in Europe and the Pacific
WGN broadcaster who became the voice of agriculture for American farmers.