Interviews

James 'Jim' Corsi - IHSA

Jim Corsi is a Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame coach who led the Gibault Catholic High School boys soccer team to the Illinois state finals seven times, winning three state championships. He also coached the school's girls soccer team, which placed second in the state in 2009. Corsi discusses his involvement with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) during his twenty years at Waterloo Gibault. He also reviews his own participation in high school sports and his stint as a coach for an Army club soccer team in Germany while he served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Dr. Georgia Costello - Community College Project

Dr. Georgia Costello has served as the President at Southwestern Illinois College, a community college, since 2008. She earned her undergraduate degree at McKendree College, and her masters and Ph.D. at Southern Illinois University. During her career, she has served as a teacher, principal and superintendent at various school before being selected as Southwestern's first female President in 2008. Dr. Costello discusses the school's recent history and development.

Carl Cottingham - Community College Project

Carl Cottingham joined the faculty of John Logan Community College in 1968, a brand new school at the time. He served there as Dean of Learning Resources from 1968 to 1998. He also did classroom instruction, and at the time of the interview still taught an educational Psychology class.

Walter W. Covert - World War II

Walter Covert served as a half-track driver with the 19th Armored Infantry Battalion, part of the 14th Armored Division. Despite the fact that Covert did not arrive at the combat zone until December of 1944, he saw considerable action as his unit fought its way across Germany, including twice when his vehicle was disabled. He was injured in March of 1945, taking shrapnel in his leg, some of which he has lived with his entire life. Following the German surrender, Covert served in the occupation army before returning home in March, 1946.

Dan Cox - School District Reorganization

Dan Cox, Superintendant for the Jasper County School District #1, discusses in detail the multiple challenges he faces in managing a geographically huge school district, covering 462 square miles. The district was reorganized in 1971.

Harold Cox - World War II

Harold Cox served in the United States Army during World War II, enlisting in the Army in the spring of 1944. Upon arrival in Europe, his battalion was sent to Paris, France, and then on to the combat zone. Prior to the Battle of the Bulge he was wounded in the leg, which had to be amputated.

Jim Creviston - Korean War

Jim Creviston served with the 7th Infantry Division as a tanker during the last year of the Korean War. Creviston arrived in Korea in November 1952, and served as a platoon sergeant of a tank platoon with the 31st Regimental Tank Company. Wounded during the battle of Pork Chop Hill, he spent a month in the hospital before returning to the fight.

John Crisp - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Jazz musician and artist

Dr. Clifford Crone - Community College Project

Dr. Clifford Crone is a career educator who began his career in the Freeport Illinois region. Dr. Crone discusses his role at Freeport Jr. College, the fore runner of Highland Community College. He examines the College's ties with the local High School and its evolution into a separate entity under the Jr. College Act of 1965.

Dr. Clifford Crone - School District Reorganization

Dr. Cliff Crone is a career educator, from working in a one room country school to Indian Prairie School Dostrict. He discusses the creation and expansion of Indian Prairie School District #204 from three small K-8 school districts into one of the largest K-12 districts in Illinois.

Robert J. Crowley - Korean War

Bob Crowley served as an officer with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in South Korea, arriving in 1953 at a time when the armistice talks were finally coming to a close. He was assigned to the Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAG), and specifically served as the Signal Maintenance and Repair Officer for the 85th Signal Repair Company, a Republic of Korea Army unit.

Kathy Crum - Alternatives in Education

Kathy Crum discusses her work at Graham Elementary School (pre-K through 5th grade) and the school's year-round schooling model. Kathy worked in the Springfield, Illinois School District #186. Her school was the district’s second balanced schedule school (year round scheduling) following the lead of Southern View Elementary School. Kathy discussed the advantages and challenges of this type of school scheduling at length, and also covered the preparation needed to successfully implement this educational approach.

Theresa Faith Cummings - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Social services administrator and business woman

Eileen Cunningham - Modern Era

As a farmer’s daughter, Eileen Cunningham did typical farm chores. After college she became a nurse during WWII. After marrying her sister’s widower, she raised seven children and many peafowl. Her historical accounts of the Illinois River Valley, especially stone homes, were published.

Barbara Flynn Currie - Educational Reform Act 1985

Representative Barbara Flynn Currie has represented the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago since 1979, and has been a leader for the Democratic house caucus for many years. In 1985 she was instrumental in gaining passage for the Educational Reform Act, especially the portions of legislation dealing with early childhood education and the Prekindergarten At-Risk Program. She discusses this at length, as well as the impact of the legislation over the next thirty years.

Barbara Flynn Currie - Obama in Illinois

Barbara Flynn Currie, a liberal Democrat from the Hyde Park district of Chicago, has represented that area in the Illinois House of Representatives from January, 1979 to her retirement at the end of the 2018 legislative year. Since 1997 she has served as the House Majority Leader during an era where Mike Madigan served as Speaker of the House. Currie also had professional dealings with Barack Obama, who was the state senator for her legislative district.

Barbara Flynn Currie - Legislators Project

Barbara Flynn Currie, a liberal Democrat from the Hyde Park district of Chicago, has represented that area in the Illinois House of Representatives from January, 1979 to the time of this posting in 2017. These interviews cover Currie's career in the Illinois House from 1979 through Governor Jim Thompson's administration, which ended in January, 1991. Thompson, a moderate Republican, served as governor for fourteen years.

Barbara Flynn Currie - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Barbara Flynn Currie, a liberal Democrat from the Hyde Park district of Chicago, has represented that Chicago neighborhood in the Illinois House of Representatives from January, 1979 to the time of this posting in 2017. Even though she was relatively new to the legislature during the years when the Equal Rights Amendment was debated in the Illinois legislature every year, she was an eloquent and influential supporter for ERA. This session of her interview discussed the fate of ERA in the Illinois House from her first year in 1979 to its ultimate defeat in the legislature in 1982.

Barbara Flynn Currie - ERA Fight in Illinois

Barbara Flynn Currie, a liberal Democrat from the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, represented that district in the Illinois House from January 1979 to her retirement at the end of the 2018 legislative year. Beginning in 1997 she served as the IL House Majority Leader, during an era when Mike Madigan served as Speaker of the House. These interviews cover Currie's early life and her long and distinguished career in the Illinois House from 1979 through 2019. She served during the administrations of Governors Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar, George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich, Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner. She headed up the Blagojevich impeachment in 2009 and supervised legislative redistricting following both the 2000 and 2010 census.

Charles Curry - Williamsville

Charles Curry, the long-time owner of 'Curry's Market' in Williamsville, Illinois, reminisces about growing up in the Williamsville community during the Great Depression and World War II years. He began working in the town's downtown markets when he was eleven years old, and later owned Curry's Market from 1963 to 1979. His grocery store was the last of an era of small 'mom-and-pop' stores to inhabit downtown Williamsville. It closed up shop in 1979 with the advent of 24-hour, big-box, super-stores in larger cities nearby.

Lawrence Curtin - Korean War

Larry Curtin grew up on a farm in central Illinois during the Great Depression and WW II, and was drafted into the Army in December, 1950. Following Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, he shipped to South Korea, received additional training as a radio operator, and was then assigned to the 3rd Signal Company of the 3rd Infantry Division. He served in a variety of different capacities during his year-long tour in Korea.

Lawrence Curtin - Modern Era

Larry Curtin grew up on a farm in central Illinois during the Great Depression and WW II, and attended a one-room school. He discussed his life on the family farm in considerable detail, including haying, shucking corn, hog butchering day, and the coming of electricity.

Ted Curtis - Springfield African-American History Foundation

Realtor, school board member, state government administrator

Ted Dabrowski - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Ted Dabrowski, as Vice President of the Illinois Policy Institute, discusses the origins of Illinois's broken pension system at length, and offers up potential solutions, especially in light of the Illinois Supreme Court's decision that a 2013 legislative effort to fix the problem, Senate Bill 1, was declared unconstitutional. The Illinois Policy Institute is a not-for-profit think tank based in Chicago that develops and recommends solutions to the state's economic and fiscal problems, with its goal being to promote personal freedom and prosperity in Illinois.

Neil Dahlstrom - Modern Era

Neil Dahlstrom earned a Masters Degree in history, then eventually moved to his home town of Moline, Illinois. Once home, he found work as an archivist for John Deere Co. where he found rich materials for a book about John and son, Charles, and the founding of Deere.

Dr. Robert Daiber - Educational Reform Act 1985

Dr. Robert Daiber began a long teacher career at Triad High School in Troy, Illinois, and in 2007 became a Regional Superintendent of Schools for Madison County. He offers detailed perspective on the implementation and the legacy of Illinois's landmark 1985 Educational Reform Act. Dr. Daiber covers his involvement with the new learning standards, local and state assessments, the new teacher evaluation model, and staff development initiatives that took place because of the 1985 Reforms

Donald Daily - School District Reorganization

Don Daily discusses his career as an educator in Illinois, and especially his involvement as a school superintendent in the consolidation of two school districts into the new Monmouth-Roseville School District, formed in 2006.

Mary Ellen Daneels - Civics Education

Mary Ellen Daneels has taught social studies and history courses at Chicago West high School since 1990, using an innovative approach to civics education that the state modeled when mandating that civics education be taught for all public high schools in legislation that took effect with the class of 2016-2017. Because of her expertise, Daneels also became a lead teacher trainer. She highlights the training provided over a three year period to civics teachers throughout the state.

Lee Daniels - Legislators Project

Lee Daniels served as the Republican Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1983 to his retirement in 2003. From 1995 to 1996 he served as the Speaker of the IL House, years when he was successful in steering through several initiatives important to the Republican leadership, including Chicago school reform, tort reform and disability legislation. Daniels talks extensively about the state's governors from Thompson to Blagojevich, and relates stories about all of the major political figures in Illinois during this period.

Josephine Datz - Immigrant Stories

Josephine (Jo) Datz was born into a Jewish family in Johannesburg, South Africa, and grew up during the nation's harsh Apartheid period. She discusses the nature of that system, and South African history and culture extensively. In 1989 she married Rabbi Michael Datz, who was working in South Africa on a sabbatical at the time. Following their marriage, they lived in Curacao for a short period, then moved to the United States. Rabi Datz accepted a call to Temple B'rith Sholom, a Reformed congregation in Springfield, Illinois. Datz concludes with her thoughts about becoming an American, and about the current situation in Israel.

Rudy Davenport - Springfield African-American History Foundation

NAACP and Habitat for Humanity volunteer, plaintiff in civil rights suit

Calvin Davis - IHSA

Calvin Davis discusses his involvement with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) as a high school athlete and especially in his role as a Director of Athletics for the Chicago Public Schools. Davis also discusses his current role as Director of Athletics and Activities for a west suburban public high school, and his book, "Intercity Hoops," which looks at the history of Chicago Public League Basketball and some of its greatest players and teams.

Cullom Davis - IHPA legacy

Dr. George Cullom Davis began his academic career as an assistant professor of history at Indiana University in 1964. In 1970, he moved to Springfield, IL, where he taught and served as an assistant to the president of the newly formed Sangamon State University, and was also responsible for establishing the university's Oral History office. He quickly developed a national reputation in the oral history community, and served as president of the Oral History Association from 1983-1984. In 1988 Dr. Davis became Director of the Lincoln Legal Papers, where he served until his retirement in 2000.

Malcolm Davis - World War II

Malcolm Davis served in the United States Army during World War II. He was drafted into the Army in 1944 and was stationed in Liverpool, England. He was one of the first soldiers to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. Later, his division entered Germany through the Black Forest.

Manda Davis - Modern Era

Manda Davis became interested in sheep when her brother raised Columbia Sheep for 4-H. Soon, she took over the project, and eventually became a 4-H Advisor for the breed, attending 4-H meetings and helping youth plan and enter livestock contests.

Will Davis - Public School Funding

Rep. Will Davis discussed the path to a new educational funding formula for Illinois public schools during his tenure as a state representative, which began in 2003. He addressed the challenges faced in school funding reform, including pension shortfalls, school funding litigation and unsuccessful legislative efforts to make major overhauls of the system. In 2012, a greater statewide awareness of school funding problems became evident, which translated into more support for reform. Rep. Davis reviewed the Governor’s Commission 2016, Senate Bill 1 introduced in 2016 and the eventual passage of SB 1947 which led to the New Evidence Based School Funding Model. Rep. Davis also discussed how this school funding model became the dominant one accepted by many across the state.

Cullom Davis - Historians Speak

Dr. George Cullom Davis began his academic career as an assistant professor of history at Indiana University in 1964. In 1970, he moved to Springfield, IL, where he taught and served as an assistant to the president of the newly formed Sangamon State University, and was also responsible for establishing the university's Oral History office. He quickly developed a national reputation in the oral history community, and served as president of the Oral History Association from 1983-1984. In 1988 Dr. Davis became Director of the Lincoln Legal Papers, where he served until his retirement in 2000.

James E. Davis - Historians Speak

Dr. James E. Davis taught high school history and English for nine years before obtaining his PhD in 1971 and becoming a professor of History and Geography at Illinois College in Jacksonville, where he taught until his retirement in 2011. During his half-century of teaching, Dr. Davis was witness to many of the changes in American education and historiography that occurred during the latter half of the 20th century and the start of the new millennium. He has also published three books about life on the American frontier:

John Dee - School District Reorganization

John Dee was a superintendent for many different schools in Illinois. From 1983 to 1996 he worked for the Illinois State Board of Education. During that time he was responsible for school facilities, life safety code, and reorganization studies, a subject he discusses in considerable detail.

Karen DeFevers - School District Reorganization

Karen DeFevers is a long-time resident of Virden, Illinois who served on the Virden School Board, and was also very active in the consolidation of the Virden and Girard school districts into the North Mac School District. Later, she was involved with a school construction referendum initiative that was unsuccessful.

Nancy deGrazia - Governor Dan Walker Project

Nancy deGrazia served as an Assistant to Governor Dan Walker from 1973 to 1977, working as his liaison for several financial and regulatory agencies. Following Walker's defeat in 1977, Nancy married Victor deGrazia, Dan Walker's long-time political advisor.

Geoff Deigan - Alternatives in Education

Geoff Deigan talks about his involvement with the Prairie Crossing Charter School near Grayslake, Illinois as a school parent, board of directors member, and CEO of the school. He covers the history of the Prairie Crossing beginning in 1989, and its gradual development as a K thru 8 school. He also discussed the state's oversight, the relationship with the two public school districts involved, as well as the school’s source of funding, its curriculum, school activities and sports, student eligibility through a lottery, the role of parents, teacher/staff selection and the campus. The school is one of only fifteen charter schools outside of Chicago, and has been the recipient of numerous national awards.

Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer - People of Faith

Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer is the pastor, head of staff and minister of word and sacrament at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois. She discusses her journey to that position, and also gives an in-depth discussion about the theology and doctrinal foundation of the Presbyterian Church in America. Reverend Denham-Kieffer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Hope College, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis in Pastoral Counseling from Eden Theological Seminary. She also received a clergy renewal grant from the Lily Foundation in 2011.

Kim Deschamps - Alternatives in Education

Kim Deschamps discusses her work at the Knox-Warren (KW) Special Education Cooperative as a social worker, administrator, and now as the director of the seven-member cooperative located in western Illinois. The Cooperative provides education for those students covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Deschamps discusses the history of the KW cooperative created in 1968, the 14 types of disabilities the cooperative serves, and also the Cooperative's training responsibilities from birth to three and also its transition plans from ages 14-22. She also addressed federal special education funding and challenges in finding certified teachers in rural areas.

JoAnn Desmond - School District Reorganization

Dr. JoAnn Desmond started her educational career as a teacher, then moved to administrative work, and served as a superintendent in the Frankfort School District from 1990 to 1995. In 1995 she moved north to a suburban district and became the superintendent of the North Shore District #112. The new district included a diverse population, including a military base and a large Hispanic population.

Julian C. D'Esposito Jr. - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Julian D'Esposito served as Governor Jim Thompson's chief counsel from 1977 to 1981 and as his director of staff, during the early years of Thompson's long tenure as Governor. Among the issues he dealt with during this period were the Thompson Proposition, the governor's handling of sentencing appeals and the Chicago school funding crisis of 1980. Following this, D’Esposito continued to be involved in governmental service, serving as a member of Thompson’s Tax Reform Commission as well as outside counsel to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (McPier), and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA).

Suzanne Deuchler - Legislators Project

Suzanne Deuchler, a moderate Republican from Aurora (Kane County), Illinois, ran for the Illinois House of Representatives in 1980, with passage of the Equal Rights Amendment as one of her prime issues. She won the election, and went on to serve in the Illinois House from 1981 to 1999, when she retired from public life.

Dr. Michael Devine - IHPA legacy

Dr. Michael Devine became the Director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) in 1985, shortly after Governor Jim Thompson first created the agency. He presided over a large number of historic sites throughout the state, as well as the Illinois State Historical Library and other directorates. During his tenure, improvements were made for programs to the Old State Capitol, the Dana Thomas House was opened to much fanfare, and the Pullman factory site was purchased. He left Illinois in 1991 when he was selected to be the Director of the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming.

Maija Devine - Immigrant Stories

Maija Rhee Devine and her twin brother were born into a Korean refugee family in Manchuria in 1943. Her parents could not afford to keep her, so gave her to a friend, who then took Maija to Seoul and gave her to a childless couple. That couple raised Maija as their own daughter, but years later when they had no male children to carry on the Confucian traditions, her father took in a mistress. A year later, the Korea War began, causing the family to flee Seoul. Maija talks at length about the family's complicated relationship with the mistress, about her experiences during the Korean War, and about her marriage in 1970 to Michael Devine, a Peace Corps volunteer working in Korea at the time.

Maija Devine - Korean War

Maija Rhee Devine and her twin brother were born into a Korean refugee family in Manchuria in 1943. Her parents could not afford to keep her, so gave her to a friend, who then took Maija to Seoul and gave her to a childless couple. That couple raised Maija as their own daughter, but when they had no male children to carry on the Confucian traditions, her father took in a mistress shortly before the war. Maija talks at length about the family's complicated relationship with the mistress, about her experiences during the Korean War, and about her marriage in 1970 to Michael Devine, a Peace Corps volunteer working in Korea at the time.

Tony DeVito - World War II

Tony DeVito is a Marine veteran of Iwo Jima. He was assigned as an infantryman in the 9th Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, which landed later in the invasion. DeVito was shot in the left arm on March 17th as the Marines swept the island north of Mount Suribachi, suffering a permanent disability.

Dr. Amy Diaz - Community College Project

For twenty years Dr. Amy Diaz has worked at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois, serving first as a counselor, then as the Director of Counseling, and at the time of the interview, as the Vice President of Student Services. In the latter capacity, she was involved with student retention and academic performance. Dr. Diaz discusses how Rock Valley College works to improve student retention, academic performance, and school affordability. She also addresses Rock Valley’s ‘First ear Support Program’ and ‘Transformed First Year Experience Program.’

Kirk Dillard - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Upon graduating from Western Illinois University, Kirk Dillard worked as a legislative

Kirk Dillard - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Kirk Dillard, a 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate, has been extensively involved in Illinois government since the late 1970s, including a stint as Governor Jim Thompson's legislative liaison. Dillard helped with Jim Edgar's run for governor, then served as Governor Edgar's Chief of Staff from 1991-1994. He left to make a successful run for the Illinois Senate.

Julie Dirksen - IHPA legacy

Julie Dirksen was the first Director of Guest Services for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Hired in 2004 prior to the ALPLM's opening, she helped to prepare the Springfield community for the museum's opening through the "Company is Coming" organization. She was also responsible for establishing the ALPLM's volunteer support and setting up training for the Museum staff and volunteers.

Jeri Dixon - Community College Project

Jeri Dixon began working as the Dean of Adult Education at Waubonsee Community College (Aurora, Illinois) in 2009. In that capacity she oversees many state and federal grants, as well as programs involving adult basic education, GED students, literacy programs, youth services, and English as a Second Language learners. Over 1,600 students per semester are involved in these programs.

Jesse Dowell - World War II

Jesse Dowell served in the United States Navy Air Corps during World War II. He trained at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas for a potential invasion of the Japanese mainland. However, the dropping of the atomic bombs meant the invasion that Dowell was supposed to be part of was cancelled.

Martha Jane Downey - IHPA legacy

Martha Downey began working at the Bishop Hill Historic Site, a village in west-central Illinois founded in 1846 by Swedish immigrants affiliated with the Pietist movement led by Erik Jansson, in 1981. At that time the site was managed by the Department of Natural Resources, but it went under the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in 1985 when that agency was created. During Downey's long tenure at Bishop Hill, the site has undergone dramatic improvements.

Janis Droegkamp - Family Memories

Jan Droegkamp has spent much of her professional career working in a variety of postings with the Peace Corps, first in Jamaica in 1972, then Lesotho (surrounded by apartheid South Africa), before returning to Massachusetts for graduate school. Since earning her graduate degree Jan has also worked in Kenya, Thailand, Cambodia, Fiji, Albania, Uganda and other countries. While in Fiji, Jan decided to start a family. In 1985, she became a Mother by Choice when she gave birth to her son, John, and represented the group several years later on the Oprah Winfrey show. She also began a long association with Sangamon State University in Springfield, Illinois, both running the University's Credit for Prior Learning program and teaching.

Richard Duchossois - World War II

Born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, Dick Duchossois attended high school at Morgan Park Military Academy, then enrolled at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Kentucky. He left college in January, 1942, and by virtue of his military training in high school, was commissioned a lieutenant in the infantry and assigned to a tank destroyer battalion. LT Duchossois saw action with the 610th Tank Destroyer Battalion in northern France, including combat at the Falaise Gap, at the Moselle River (where he was injured), and during the Battle of the Bulge. Following the German surrender, he was the military governor for the region of Kreis Eichstätt for a short time.

Darrell Duensing - IHPA legacy

Darrell Duensing's first job after graduating from Southern University in 1971 was as site manager at Fort de Chartres, the former French fortress in Randolph County that boasts the oldest building in Illinois. He spent the next forty-five years there, retiring in 2015. His tenure spans the years when the site was managed by the Illinois Department of Conservation, and since 1985 by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. He also discusses the Great Flood of 1993 in detail.

John Duffy - Community College Project

John Duffy discusses the recent history of Elgin Community College in Elgin, Illinois. Duffy began teaching at Larkin High School in Elgin, Illinois in 1965, teaching English and Latin for thirty-four years. In 1975 Mr. Larkin was elected to the Elgin Community College Board of Trustees. He still serves in that capacity and was elected three times as its chairman. Mr. Duffy also has served on the American Association of Community College Board, as an Association of Community College Trustee, and with the Illinois College Trustees Association.

Wesley J. Duiker - World War II

Lieutenant Wes Duiker grew up during the depression, the son of an American Reformed Church minister, and planned on following his father into the ministry until he decided to enlist in the Army Air Force in November, 1942. After two years of intensive training, he became a B-26 Marauder pilot, and flew twelve combat missions over Germany and occupied France in April, 1945. Since he arrived in Europe late in the war, Lieutenant Duiker spent the next year on occupation duty, and during that time observed the horrors of Dachau as well as a day of the Nuremburg War Crimes trials.

Charles Dukes - World War II

Charles Dukes served in the military during World War II. He was captured on November 24, 1944 by German soldiers and was a POW for six months. As a POW, he was forced to do manual labor at a labor camp in Rhondorf, Germany and had many unsuccessful escape attempts before being released and given a furlough in England.

Allen Dulles - Korean War

Allen M. Dulles served as an infantry lieutenant with the 1st Marine Division during the later stages of the Korean War. His father was CIA Director under Eisenhower, while his uncle, John Foster Dulles, served as Eisenhower's Secretary of State. Dulles suffered a severe brain injury in November, 1952, never fully recovering from his wound.

John F Dunn - Legislators Project

John F. Dunn was a Democrat who served in the Illinois House of Representatives from January 1975 to January 1995, representing the 51st District and after 1983, the 101st District. He served on the Agriculture Committee and chaired the Transportation and Civil Law committees. In his last term, he was an Assistant House Majority Leader. He was a consistent supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, an opponent of capital punishment, and while working as a lobbyist after leaving the legislature, played a major role in the passage of an indoor smoking ban.

Maria Dunstan - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Maria Dunstan had a long and successful career as a teacher, guidance counselor, principal in the Macomb Public School system, and also served for a time as the president of the local chapter of the teacher's union. She discusses the challenges educators face as they think about their retirement, and covers how the state's early retirement plans, Tier 2 employees, tax caps, levy restrictions, and pension holidays have impacted school districts. She also talks candidly about the impact of Senate Bill 1 of 2013, which reduced pensions, and the successful efforts to overturn that legislation.

Norman Durflinger - School District Reorganization

Dr. Norm Durflinger serves as Director of Illinois State University's Center for the Study of Educational Policy. His many years as a teacher, principal and superintendant of schools in central Illinois give him an in-depth understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with school reorganization and consolidation initiatives.

Philip Dziuk - World War II

Philip Dziuk served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was trained in electronics, radio material, transmission, radar, and sonar. Later, Dziuk was a petty officer on the U.S.S. Ajax which traveled to Hawaii and Bikini Atoll to test atomic bombs.

Dr. Sherry R. Eagle - Educational Reform Act 1985

Dr. Sherry Eagle discusses the impact of the 1985 Educational Reform Act since its adoption from her perspective as a teacher, assistant principal, curriculum director and long tenure as superintendent. She also reviews the formation and the development of the John C. Dunham STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Partnership School located at Aurora University. This School is a cooperative partnership of the West Aurora, East Aurora, and Indian Prairie K-12 School Districts and Aurora University.

Dawn Earl - Alternatives in Education

Dawn Earl discusses her involvement with Wheaton Academy, a private non-denominational Christian high school, from the perspective of a parent of two sons who attended the school and now as Director of Alumni Relations. She covers the school‘s longtime history dating back to 1853, founded by abolitionists. She discussed its historic connection to Wheaton College, the creation of the current campus site in 1945, the new building upgrades, and the role of parents and the alumni in helping fund support for the school.

Chris Eckert - Modern Era

Chris Eckert was born into a family of apple and peach farmers. Following graduation from from the University of Illinois in agriculture, Eckert returned to the family business and helped transform the business into a thriving orchard and family entertainment center. He discusses all aspects of the businesses, plus role of government programs, crop insurance, and related immigration policies.

Roger Eddy - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Roger Eddy is a career educator who also served in the Illinois state legislature from 2003 to 2012. He served as the executive director of the Illinois Association of School Boards at the time of the interview, and from that perspective, discussed Illinois's current pension crisis in detail, including potential solutions to funding problems and increased responsibility placed on local schools to help meet the increasing demands for funding. Eddy also discussed the effects of the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that declared key provisions of Senate Bill 1 (2013) unconstitutional.

Roger Eddy - School District Reorganization

Roger Eddy, a career educator who served as District Superintendent of the Hutsonville, Illinois school district, was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2002, lays out the various types of school reorganization possible in Illinois, and the incentives and challenges of school districts consolidating and reorganizing. Eddy serves on the House Committees on Education and Appropriations.Roger Eddy, a career educator who served as District Superintendent of the Hutsonville, Illinois school district, was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2002. He lays out the various options for school district reorganization in Illinois, and the incentives and challenges of school districts consolidating and reorganizing. Eddy serves on the House Committees on Education and Appropriations. He also served on the Classroom First Commission, which was chaired by Lt. Governor Sheila Simon.

Lea Edelstein - Immigrant Stories

Léa Edelstein was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1929 to Naftula (Nathan)and Golda Davidson, who were Jewish. Léa was the middle child of five daughters, and grew up in a comfortable home in Alexandria during the 1930s and 1940s. The family felt well-accepted as Jews until Israel was recognized as a state by the United Nations in 1948. The family immigrated to the United States in 1949, where Léa found work as a secretary, first in Philadelphia, and later in Chicago. She married WW II veteran SIdney Edelstein in 1952, and the couple made their home in Skokie, Illinois.

Brenda Edgar - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Brenda Edgar is the wife of former Governor Jim Edgar. Born Brenda Smith in Tuscola, Illinois, she met her future husband at Eastern Illinois University in 1966. Married on April 21, 1967, she raised two children while helping her husband with his political career, first as Secretary of State from 1981-1991 and then as governor. In 1991, Mrs. Edgar became the First Lady of Illinois, where she took on adoption and children and women's issues as her special passion.

Fred Edgar - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Fred Edgar is the older brother of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. Fred, Jim, and oldest brother Tom grew up together in Charleston, Illinois, in a single parent household after their father was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1953. Despite that, the brothers enjoyed a normal childhood, and Fred has been an ardent supporter of Jim throughout his political career.

Jim 1990 Ads Edgar - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Jim 1994 Ads Edgar - Governor Jim Edgar Project

1994 Campaign Ads

Jim Edgar - Obama in Illinois

Jim Edgar served as the Governor of Illinois from 1991 to 1999, with his tenure overlapping a portion of Barack Obama's time as an Illinois State Senator. Edgar discusses his impressions of Obama and his decision to not run in the 2004 U.S. Senate race that Obama eventually won.

Jim Edgar - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Jim Edgar served as Governor Jim Thompson's legislative liaison from 1979 to 1980. Following the 1980 election, Governor Thompson appointed Edgar to serve as Secretary of State, the position vacated by Alan Dixon, who was headed to the U.S. Senate. For the next ten years of the Thompson administration Edgar served as Secretary of State, winning two elections and implementing significant legislation, including DUI laws and driver’s insurance legislation.

Jim and Brenda Edgar - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Governor Jim and Mrs. Brenda Edgar talk about their long life together, much of it in the public eye as Jim worked his way up the political ladder, first as Student Body President at Eastern Illinois University, then through an unsuccessful legislative campaign in 1974, and a successful campaign in 1976. The two discuss Jim's selection as the legislative liaison for Governor Jim Thompson, and Jim's surprising appointment as the Secretary of State in 1980. They shared several anecdotes about the campaign trail, and about their life together as Governor and First Lady from 1991 through January, 1999.

Connie Edwards - Vietnam War

Connie Edwards grew up in Birmingham, Alabama during the height of the civil rights movement in the city, and was involved with several marches and protests while still a young girl. She then earned her nursing degree from Tuskegee University and immediately was commissioned as a U.S. Army nurse. Following her initial military training and an assignment stateside, Connie was sent to South Vietnam in August, 1967 and was assigned to the 24th Evacuation Hospital stationed north of Saigon. She spent the next year working with a steady flow of wounded, both American and South Vietnamese.

Connie Edwards - Civil Rights Stories

Nurse with the 24th Evacuation Hospital during Vietnam War

Tim Kendall, Patrick Lam, John Rascke and Connie Edwards - Vietnam War

In conjunction with the debut of Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's ten-part documentary on the Vietnam War in 2017, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Illinois Public Media/WILL-TV co-sponsored a panel discussion with Vietnam War era nurse Connie Edwards, draft resister Timothy Kendall, Vietnamese boat person Patrick Lam and MAC-V advisor and engineer officer John Raschke. The program began with the airing of a short excerpt from the documentary, followed by a moderated discussion and questions from the audience.

Art Ehrat - Modern Era

Art Ehrat is a central Illinois farmer who has many ideas for making things better or easier. He discusses several inventions and the twists and turns of the process of seeking patents. He also tells about showing his patented break-away basketball hoop at the Smithsonian Institution.

Julie Embalabala - Alternatives in Education

Julie (Van Sledright) Embalabala grew up in central Michigan in a strong Dutch Reformed community and attended parochial schools until her college years at Central Michigan University. While there she decided that when she had a family of her own, she would home school her chidren. Shortly after that she met Peter Embalabala, a grad student majoring in mathematics. Following their marriage in 1986, they moved to Springfield, Illinois in 1991. For most of the next two decades Julie home schooled their seven children. She talks extensively about that experience, highlighting the many advantages of home schooling, as well as the challenges.

Herb Ericksen - Korean War

Herb Ericksen is an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He barely missed service in WW II, but was activated in the opening weeks of the Korean War and sent to Japan. He served with the 83rd Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Wing as the command pilot of a C-46 cargo plane supplying the troops and ferrying out the wounded.

John Erwin - Community College Project

Dr. John Erwin has held a variety of positions at Midwestern colleges in his career, and became President of Illinois Central College, a community college in East Peoria, Illinois in 2001. Dr. Erwin discusses the history of the college, originally founded in 1967.

Veronica Espina - Immigrant Stories

Veronica Luz Espina was born in Rancagua, Chile in 1970, the daughter of a chemical engineer and a pharmacist. He parents felt the impact of the Pinochet dictatorship from 1973 to 1988. She attended the University of Chile as a journalism major. In 1999, Veronica obtained a Rotary International Scholarship and emigrated to the United States with her daughter, Alemendra. She completed a Master's degree in Community Arts Management at the University of Illinois at Springfield, and later found work at the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Judge Charles Evans - World War II

Charles Evans grew up in Illinois, and was working his way through college at the University of Illinois when he joined the Air Force in January, 1943. Following his training as a fighter pilot, he was sent to Europe, and spent the rest of the war flying a P-51 'Mustang' for the 8th Air Force. His combat missions included ones in support of the D-Day landings, and throughout the liberation of Europe. Upon his return from the war, Evans earned his law degree, and eventually became a judge in Springfield, serving in that role for more than thirty years.

Robert Evans - Korean War

Bob Evans was born in Springfield, Illinois in 1930 but grew up in Wales until his town was bombed by the Nazis in 1940. His parents sent him to live with a couple in Canada until the end of World War II, when he returned to Wales. He moved to Illinois in 1948 and was attending law school when he decided to enlist in the Army rather than be drafted. He was commissioned as an infantry lieutenant in June, 1950, and shipped to Korea, arriving in time to see action in the Pusan Perimeter in August, 1950 as an infantry platoon leader. Over the next several months he was in the thick of some of the most brutal combat ever experienced by the U.S. Army.

Thomas Ewing - Legislators Project

Thomas (Tom) Ewing grew up in tiny Atlanta, Illinois in a farming family, and earned a law degree in 1968. From 1975 through 1991 he served in the Illinois House of Representatives, rooming with Dennis Hastert at the time. In 1991 he moved to the U.S. House of Representatives following a special election, once again rooming with Hastert. He represented Illinois' 15th district until 2000 during a period when the Republicans took control of the House in 1995, and during the fights over welfare reform and the budget. He voted to impeachment President Bill Clinton. He actively supported Hastert's successful bid to become Speaker in 1999.

Tyrone C. Fahner - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Ty Fahner began his career in public service as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the early 1970s while Jim Thompson served as the U.S. Attorney for the northern district of Illinois. In 1977, newly elected Governor Thompson selected Fahner to serve as the director of law enforcement until 1979. In 1980 Thompson selected Fahner to serve as attorney general to fill the vacancy caused by Bill Scott’s conviction for tax evasion. He was defeated by democrat Neil Hartigan in the 1982 election, and returned to private practice, working for the law firm Mayer Brown.

Helen 'Jane' Fairchild - Rochester

Jane (Brubaker) Fairchild was born in 1932 in Litchfield, Illinois, and grew up in Waggoner and Farmersville, Illinois. She discusses her experiences at a one-room school and other childhood and young adult experiences. She received a bachelor’s degree in education/home economics from the University of Illinois in 1953, and married Meryl Robert Fairchild on October 24, 1954. Since Meryl was a lifetime third generation farmer, most of Jane’s life was tied to farming as well.

Meryl 'Robert' Fairchild - Rochester

Meryl Robert Fairchild, like several generations before him, spent a lifetime farming in the Rochester, Illinois area. He attended Rochester schools, graduating from high school in 1949. He attended University of Illinois briefly, but his time there was interrupted when his father needed help on the farm. He never returned to college. He married Helen Jane Brubaker on October 24, 1954. Bob and Helen had two sons and a daughter.

Marvin Farmer - World War II

Marvin Farmer was drafted into the Army in 1942, and was initially trained in anti-aircraft artillery, but was subsequently transferred to the infantry. Once he arrived in France in mid 1944, he was assigned to the 116th Infantry Regiment, part of the 29th Infantry Division. He saw heavy action in Aachen, and was fighting in Germany when he was injured, just days before the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge.

Wilbur Fawns - Korean War

Wilbur Fawns of Williamsville, Illinois was drafted into the U.S. Army in October, 1952, and by the spring of 1953 was in South Korea, assigned to a combat engineer battalion. During his tour, he often ventured into no-man's land to conduct surveillance missions. On one occasion, he also traveled to Panmunjom, the location for the armistice talks between the allies and the communists. While there, he was almost taken into custody by communist guards, but the American guards were able to retain his release. Fawns remembers well the last night of the war, and fondly discusses his return to the states.

Jodi Ferriell - Alternatives in Education

Jodi Ferriell serves as the director of the Capital Area Career Center in Springfield, Illinois, a school for junior and senior high school students seeking to acquire knowledge and skills that are needed to move on to college and to enter the workforce. The school provides career and technical educational services to eighteen public school systems through seventeen courses and programs in the Springfield, Illinois area. CACC programs also offer college credits and professional certification opportunities.

Darrell Fesser - Alternatives in Education

Darrell Fesser discusses his involvement with the Okaw Area Vocational Center (OAVC) located in Vandalia, Illinois. Darrell had been involved with OAVC for thirty-six years at the time of this interview, first teaching agriculture classes, and for the last twenty-five years as its director. He discusses the history of the OAVC, which was the third Illinois area vocational center, beginning in 1967. The Center enrolls students in grades 11-12 from several counties: Bond, Fayette, Effingham, Christian, Montgomery, and Marion, and offers a wide variety of vocational programs.