Interviews

Abigail Murphy - IHSA

Abigail Murphy, a student at Downers Grove North High School, discusses her experiences for three years with the Illinois High School Association's (IHSA) Journalism Contest where she competed in the categories of feature writing, newspaper design and editorial writing. Abbe also discusses the team competition for journalism, and reflects on her role as editor of the school's newspaper, the 'Omega.'

Charles 'Chuck' Murphy - Vietnam War

Charles 'Chuck' Murphy was drafted into the U.S. Army in November, 1966, and following his Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, was trained as a cook and assigned to Ft. Riley, Kansas. In February, 1968 he was sent to South Vietnam, in the midst of the Tet Offensive. Chuck was first assigned to the 27th Regiment (Wolfhounds) of the 25th Infantry Division, then to the 1st Battalion, 63rd Engineers. He returned to the United States in November, 1968 at the conclusion of his tour of service.

Senator Matt Murphy - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Illinois State Senator Matt Murphy, a Republican from Palatine, discusses his role in crafting Senate Bill 1 (2013), legislation that attempted to help fix the state's long-festering public union pension crisis. Senator Murphy also shares his assessment of the causes of the state's pension crisis, and examines the subsequent action by the Illinois Supreme Court to declare that legislation unconstitutional. Other topics include the Tier 2 retirement plan, Governor Jim Edgar's efforts to reform the pension system in 1995, as well as the impact of COLAs, early retirement plans, pension holidays and the Great Recession.

Carol Murray - Girls Basketball

Carol Murray worked for Centralia High School in Centralia, Illinois from 1970 until 1993. She began the first girl's basketball team at Centralia in 1976 with little support from her administration. Murray had a successful coaching career at Centralia and even led her team to the first Illinois state basketball tournament for girls in 1977.

Warren Musch - World War II

Following his graduation from college in 1943, Warren Musch joined the Marines. By early 1945 he was an Intelligence officer with the 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment of the 5th Marine Division, which stormed the beach at Iwo Jima, then fought its way up Mount Suribachi. He survived the brutal combat on Iwo Jima, then helped plan the invasion of Japan before the war ended with the dropping of the atomic bomb. Following the war, he served as part of the occupation force in Japan.

Robert 'Bob' Muzikowski - Alternatives in Education

Bob Muzikowski talks about his vision for Chicago Hope Academy, and its creation in 2005. Chicago Hope is a non-denominational Judeo-Christian High School located in the near west side of Chicago, with 270 students in attendance in 2019. Muzikowski discusses the campus site, student enrollment, the school’s funding, its rigorous curriculum, leading to 100% going on to post-education experiences, the school's religious and service requirements, as well as student athletics and activities, teacher selection, and advantages and challenges for a private non-denominational religious school.

Edwin Myers - World War II

Edwin George Myers served with the Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was commissioned as an Ensign, and served on a Landing Ship Tank, where he was responsible for decoding messages and astrological navigation. Although Myers’s ship had practiced for the invasion of Japan, the war ended when President Truman used the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Lou Myers - Korean War

Louis 'Lou' Myers came of age on a small subsistence style farm in west central Illinois. He joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1948, and trained as an artilleryman for the 44th Infantry Division. His unit was mobilized in 1952, and upon arriving in South Korea, Myers was assigned to serve as an advisor with the 8th ROK Division. Myers soon became an artillery 'Jack of all trades', working with the Koreans on all aspects of delivering artillery fire.

Lucas Naber - IHSA

Lucas Naber discusses his involvement with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Journalism contests for two years, competing in the field of review writing. Naber discusses the preparation he did prior to the meet, and how he organized the 90 minutes he was allowed during the state competition to complete a review. In addition, Lucas talks about his role with the 'Omega,' the school newspaper.

Marilyn Nash - Modern Era

With a BS in Animal Sciences, Marilyn specialized in sheep at the USDA Animal Research Center, specializing in sheep. Now a National Soybean Research Center coordinator for new human uses of soybeans, she discusses the variety, versatility and challenges.

Jamie Nash-Mayberry - Civics Education

Jamie Nash-Mayberry discusses how Civics Education has been implemented at Shawnee High School, a small high school in Southern Illinois. She reviews several service projects the students have undertaken, including the Veteran's Wall and the school's 10-year Mississippi River Levee project. She also provided an overview of the new state social studies standards and how Shawnee High School became a Democracy School.

Norm Neely - Korean War

Norm Neely served as an infantryman with the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War. Shipped to Korea in May of 1952, Norm joined the 3rd Platoon of Baker Company, which saw plenty of action on the front line near the heavily contested Iron Triangle region.

Representative Elaine Nekritz - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Representative Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook (D-57th District ) reviewed Illinois Pension history beginning in 1989 and ending with the Illinois Supreme Court ruling on Senate Bill 1 in 2015. As Chair of the House Pension Committee and a member of Governor Quinn’s Pension Working Group, Representative Nekritz also discussed the legislative debate leading up to Senate Bill 1 and the status of pension reform following the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling on the unconstitutional nature of the newly passed Law.

Philip Nelson - Modern Era

A fourth generation IL dairy and grain farmer, Phil had roles with Prairie Farms Foods, Country Financial and GrowMark. As IL Farm Bureau President he addressed many of agriculture's issues while the family farm enlarged to 1,500 acres, growing corn and soybeans and finishing hogs.

Dawn Clark Netsch - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Dawn Clark Netsch was elected as an Illinois State Senator in 1972 from the city of Chicago, and for the next ten years was a major player in the yearly battles over the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in the Illinois Senate. She was a strong supporter of the amendment, and talks at length about her leadership role for the pro-ERA in the Illinois Senate, and her disappointment over its ultimate defeat in 1982.

Dawn Clark Netsch - Legislators Project

In 1994 Illinois State Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch emerged as the Democratic candidate for governor after a spirited primary election. She lost to incumbent Governor Jim Edgar by a wide margin in the November 1994 election.

Dawn Clark Netsch - ERA Fight in Illinois

Dawn Clark Netsch began her political career as an assistant to Governor Otto Kerner from 1961-1965, served as a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1969-1970, and in 1972 was elected as an Illinois State Senator. For the next 18 years, she was one of Illinois's most influential Senators, and championed many progressive causes. In 1990 she was elected as the Illinois state Comptroller, and in 1994 was the Democrat's candidate for governor. She lost to incumbent Jim Edgar after a spirited campaign.

Linda Nevlin - Community College Project

Linda Nevlin taught for the Alton School District and for Monticello College in Godfrey, Illinois before its closure in 1971. The college was founded by Benjamin Godfrey in 1835, and served as a two year college for female students. In 1971, the school buildings were taken over by a new community college – Lewis and Clark College. Nevlin discusses Monticello College's late history, and the relationship between the two colleges.

Joe Newton - IHSA

Joe Newton is a legendary cross country and track coach with a long and stellar career at York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. During his tenure as coach, he developed a national reputation for excellence. His teams won twenty-eight state titles (twenty-three in a row), came in second place twelve times, third place four times, and fourth place five times. In addition, his teams won twenty National Championships and produced 300 All-State Athletes. He also developed a reputation as an inspiration speaker, and authored four books sharing his experiences and wisdom on coaching.

Eddy Nicklaus - Gulf War

Eddy Nicklaus was deployed to South Vietnam in the same unit as his identical twin brother Teddy in 1965. Eddy served as his platoon’s radioman. In 1982, the brothers joined the local Illinois National Guard unit and in 1990 that unit was mobilized during the build-up of Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Eddy Nicklaus - Vietnam War

Eddy Nicklaus served with the Marines in South Vietnam in 1965. In 1982, he joined a Rock Falls, Illinois National Guard unit and in 1990 the 1644th Transportation Company was mobilized during the build-up for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The unit drove into the western deserts of Iraq in support of U.S. ground troops.

Stanley Nikulski - Korean War

Stanley J. Nikulski served as an infantryman with the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division during the brutal defense of the Pusan Perimeter in the fall of 1950, where he sustained a leg injury. Nikulski rejoined his unit in late November north of Pyongyang, just in time for the massive Chinese offensive which pushed the 25th Division back all the way south of Seoul.

Anne Noble - Public School Funding

Anne Noble explains the Illinois County School Facilities Sales Tax (ICSFST), which became law in Illinois in 2007. Currently, fifty-six of the 101 eligible counties have approved this sales tax. Cook County is exempted. She discusses a variety of related topics including: how the public school districts can use these funds, what can be taxed, the ballot question, the amounts that can be levied (¼ increments up to 1%), the basis for school district allotments (students living in the county), and the role of the Department of Revenue-Regional Offices of Education. Anne also talks about other financing methods used by school district-bond sales.

Dr. Rene Noppe - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Dr. Rene Noppe is a retired Superintendent for Silvis School District #34 and a professor at Western Illinois University-Quad City Campus. He has years of experience studying Illinois's various public pension systems, and has made numerous presentations on the subject at various national conferences. He discusses the difference in funding for the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRS) pensions, and also addresses the basic features for the various state systems (SURS, TRS, SRS, GARS, and JARS plus IMRF).

Felicia Norwood - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Felicia Norwood grew up in Camilla, Georgia with a burning ambition to excel, despite the grim economic realities of her African-American family. Just one year after she earned a law degree from Yale Law School, she accepted a position in newly elected Governor Jim Edgar's administration as an executive assistant, with oversight over human services issues.

Jeanette Nuckolls - IHSA

Dr. Jeanette Nuckolls discusses her involvement with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) from her perspective as a high school principal, a member of the IHSA Legislative Commission, and a longtime board member of the IHSA. Jeanette examines a variety of subjects, included the governing structure of the IHSA, the non-boundary multiplier, waivers, residency and transfer rulings, classification of schools, sports medicine/safety, and the addition of state wide board members representing specific under-served groups. In addition, Dr. Nuckolls discussed enhanced student participation due to new sports and activities.

Jim O'Boye - IHSA

Jim O’Boye discusses his career in sports and news broadcasting from the perspective of his own company, KOST Broadcast Sales. He has worked closely with the Illinois High School Association for many years in producing and broadcasting IHSA State Championship games for basketball and football. Jim also discussed his role in promoting the high school games of the week as well as America's original March Madness, noting that the term originated in Illinois with the IHSA.

James Paul O'Connell - Community College Project

Jim O'Connell of Oak Park, Illinois spent many years working as a sports reporter for the 'Suburban Life' newspaper before becoming the coordinator of Public Information at Morton College in 2001, as well as interim Student Activities Director and Student Development Liaison. This interview covers the life of Illinois’s second oldest Community College, founded in 1924, and also covers the transition at the college from Morton High School, District #201 in 1967.

Dr. Philip R. O'Connor - Governor Jim Thompson Project

Drawing on his work as an aide in Governor Richard Ogilvie’s administration and as California Congressman George Miller’s first campaign manager, Phil O’Connor joined Gov. Jim Thompson's administration in 1977, soon working as his director of insurance. In 1982, O'Connor oversaw Thompson’s campaign against Adlai Stevenson III, helping to turn around the campaign. He then served as the chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, where he strongly promoted deregulation of the utility industry before leaving the administration in 1985 for a career in the private sector.

Carole Oglesby - Girls Basketball

Dr. Carole Oglesby served as the commissioner of national championships for the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women

Nick Osborne - School District Reorganization

A career educator with extensive experience in the Mt. Vernon school district, and later as chair of the Education Administration Department at Eastern Illinois University, discusses the many challenges faced when school districts consider thorny issues such as deactivations, annexations, reorganizations or consolidations.

Joanne Osmond - School District Reorganization

Joanne Osmond, a successful businesswoman who has served over twenty years on school boards in Antioch and Lake Villa, Illinois, discusses her involvement with an attempt to create a unit District for Lake Villa township, which would have impacted twenty-three school districts, and directly affected six districts. The referendum was eventually defeated.

Tisa Poe, Tom Tait, Patrick Weeks and Heather Oxley - IHPA legacy

Four key members of the BRC Imagination Arts creative team, Tisa Poe, Patrick Weeks, Heather Oxley and Tom Tait joined moderator Mark DePue in 2015 to discuss their key roles in the design, creation and installation of the many exhibits and two theater productions for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, which opened on April 19, 2005 to wide acclaim. They shared their stories and insights about the creation of the museum, even as they marveled at how well the museum's exhibits have stood up over the intervening ten years.

Dr. John Palan - School District Reorganization

Dr. John Palan discusses how Grant Park Community Unit School District #6, a small district with fewer than 600 students located near the south suburbs of Chicago, has managed to remain independent. He covers the challenges and successes found in this size of school district while also reviewing his role as a former dual district superintendent.

Don Palmer - World War II

Donald E. Palmer served as a sailor with the 4th Beach Battalion in the Mediterranean theater during World War II. The 4th Beach Battalion was a newly organized unit that prepped beaches for army amphibious forces. He saw action during the landings at Sicily, Salerno, and St. Tropez in southern France.

Dr. Priscilla Palmer - Delta Sigma Theta

Dr. Priscilla Palmer has spent her life as an educator, and is also a proud charter member of the Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter (SDAAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. While at Eastern Illinois University in the 1970s she pledged with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Theta Zeta Chapter. She went on to earn her doctoral degree in educational organization and leadership from the University of Illinois. Since the chartering of the Springfield Decatur Area Alumnae Chapter, Dr. Palmer has played a significant role in helping meet the mission and goals of the chapter, including a term as its president from 1993-1995.

Dr. Sally Pancrazio - Educational Reform Act 1985

Dr. Sally Pancrazio is a career educator who, as an official with the Illinois Department of Education, helped launch and implement many of the 169 initiatives that made up the 1985 Educational Reform Act. She discusses the extended debate about educational reform in the years prior to 1985, and the implementation of many of the reforms that grew out of this landmark piece of legislation.

Sally Pancrazio - ERA Fight in Illinois

Dr. Sally Pancrazio was involved in the fight to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois from 1972 until the Amendment's defeat in the Illinois legislature in 1982. Sally discusses tactics used by both the pro and anti-ERA lobbyists, and knew many of the key political and organizational players. She continued to push for ERA's passage after that. As a member of the Women’s Political Caucus, she provided data and research for the effort. In 2018, the year that the Amendment was finally passed by the Illinois Legislature, Sally was part of a broad coalition in McLean County supporting its passage. She took leadership in pressing for a positive vote.

Kay Pangle - School District Reorganization

Dr. Kay Pangle has been a regional Superintendant of Schools for the Illinois counties of Kankakee and Iroquois since 1994. During her tenure, the district has dealt with numerous reorganization initiatives, and Dr. Pangle discusses the various reorganization options while detailing specific cases dealing with the towns of Sheldon, Milford and Crescent City.

Jean Pankonin - Girls Basketball

Jean Pankonin taught physical education at Illinois State University where she also coached badminton and tennis. She was also a nationally rated women’s official in basketball and a member of the Central Illinois Board of Women Officials for fifteen years.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki - People of Faith

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has spent a lifetime of service to the Catholic Church, culminating in his appointment in 2010 as the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Since his ordination in 1978, he has served in a variety of demanding positions, including as Vice-Chancellor and then Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Along the way he also earned a law degree from DePaul University in 1981, and in Canon Law from Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome a decade later. Bishop Paprocki speaks several languages, including Polish, Spanish, and Latin.

Doug Parrett - Modern Era

Doug began life on the family farm, but after earning a PhD in Animal Sciences, he joined the University of Illinois faculty teaching Animal Sciences. He discusses the the importance of the University's agricultural programs, the growth and development of new scientific areas of research in all areas of farming and animal husbandry. He also illustrates animal judging techniques.

Marjorie Pasley - World War II

Marjorie (Brown) Pasley was born in 1927 and lived in Margate, England, a town on the English Channel, when the country declared war on Germany in September, 1939. Her parents decided to send her to Stafford in Staffordshire County for three years during the war. She shares many memories of the war years, including the Battle of Britain, seeing wounded soldiers and prisoners of war. In 1953 she married Richard Pasley, an American, and immigrated to the United States in 1955.

Jason Patera - Alternatives in Education

ason Patera discusses his involvement with the Chicago Academy for the Arts over a twenty year period, beginning when he was a high school intern, and which continued in 1998 when he was a teacher at his first school. Patera is now the Executive Director at the Academy. He discusses the history of the Academy dating back to 1981 when arts enthusiasts established it as an independent performing arts school. Patera explains the school‘s philosophy, student recruitment and eligibility, tuition, scholarship opportunities and its curriculum, which includes both academic subjects and the performing arts. He also discusses the students' projects and performances, and the challenges and advantages of being an independent performing arts school in a large metropolitan area.

Dr. James Paul - Community College Project

Dr. Jim Paul began working at Kankakee Community College in 1972, teaching History and later Philosophy. During that time, he was a keen observer of the school and watched its development and evolution until his retirement in 2006. He has stayed active with the college community since that time. Dr. Paul served as President of the Faculty Union and the IFT Regional Presidents. He has served on many state-level committees, including the Higher Education History Committee.

George Pempek - Korean War

George Pempek joined the Regular Army in 1947. He had occupation duty near the 38th parallel in South Korea prior to the war, then intelligence service in the 5th RCT in mid-1950. He saw action with the 5th in the Pusan Perimeter, as the unit fought its way north to the Yalu River, then south again during the Chinese offensive. After stateside duty, he returned to Korea in the early 1960s as a Sergeant Major in the 8th Army.

Taylor Pensoneau - Governor Jim Edgar Project

St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Taylor Pensoneau was in Chicago for the 1968 Democratic Convention which occurred from August 26 through August 29. He was on the scene for many of that convention's most dramatic events, reporting on events both inside the convention center and on the rioting in the streets, especially in Grant Park. Pensoneau was on hand when the Yippies nominated a pig for president, when Senator Abe Ribicoff accused Mayor Daley of using Gestapo tactics against protesters, and for the violent outbursts between the protesters and the Chicago police on Wednesday night, August 28.

Taylor Pensoneau - Journalists View

Taylor Pensoneau covered the Illinois Statehouse beat for the

Taylor Pensoneau - Governor Dan Walker Project

Taylor Pensoneau covered the Illinois Statehouse beat for the St. Louis Post Dispatch from Oct.1965-Jan.1978, reporting on the Richard Ogilvie, Dan Walker, and Jim Thompson gubernatorial administrations. Following this, he worked for several years as a lobbyist at the Illinois Coal Association, and while there began a third career, writing books on Illinois' political and criminal history. Pensoneau reflects on Barack Obama’s time in Illinois from journalist’s perspective.

Taylor Pensoneau - General Interest

Taylor Pensoneau covered the Illinois Statehouse beat for the

Taylor Pensoneau - Obama in Illinois

Taylor Pensoneau covered the Illinois Statehouse beat for the St. Louis Post Dispatch from Oct. 1965 through Jan. 1978, reporting on the Richard Ogilvie, Dan Walker, and Jim Thompson gubernatorial administrations. Following this, he worked for several years as a lobbyist at the Illinois Coal Association, and while there began a third career, writing books on Illinois' political and criminal history.

Ann Penstone - Girls Basketball

Ann Penstone began her career teaching at Buffalo Grove High School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois where she was the head coach for girls’ basketball, golf, and track. She later was the head girls’ basketball coach at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She has also had a long tenure as an official and commentator for girls’ sports.

Dr. John Perkins - Educational Reform Act 1985

Dr. John Perkins served as director for Educational Service Center #13 in Charleston, Illinois from 1986 to 1990, helping to implement many of the reforms that resulted from the passage of the 1985 Educational Reform Act. He discusses the origins of the landmark legislation, as well as the State Board of Education’s (ISBE) evaluations of the Truant-Alternative programs, Limited English, Gifted, and State Testing (IGAP), all parts of the 1985 Reforms.

Dr. Leon Perley - Community College Project

Dr. Leon Perley began working at Illinois Central College in 1967, when the East Peoria-based community college was first established. He served as its president from 1976 to 1988 when he retired. Dr. Perley discusses the college's history during these crucial early years of its existence.

Laurent Pernot - Community College Project

Laurence Pernot serves as the Executive Vice Chairman of the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), a collection of seven community colleges and six satellite sites throughout Chicago, the largest city-based community college system in the nation. In this capacity, he helps drive efficiency and accountability across the Seven College District. This includes the areas of enrollment, support services, graduation and retention rates, career pathways, performance outcomes, and the system's Capital Plan.

James Perry - Korean War

A child of the depression, James Perry received a commission as a Lieutenant in the Army Infantry, and arrived in France with the 97th Division in late 1944. He was a Captain with the 2nd Infantry Division when war broke out in Korea. He served with the 9th Infantry Regiment from the Pusan Perimeter all the way north toward the Yalu River. After the Chinese launched an offensive, he survived running 'the Guantlet' at Kunu-Ri, where he earned the first of two Silver Stars.

James F. Jr. Perry - Vietnam War

James F. Perry Jr. is the son of a Korean War veteran (see his father's interview in the Korean War collection) who grew up as an army brat at military bases in Germany and throughout the United States. In 1966 a judge in Iowa strongly suggested that he should join the army. Perry scored well on tests he took in Basic Training, and he then attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He arrived in South Vietnam in September, 1968, and served his entire one year tour as a platoon leader for a searchlight platoon, which had sections deployed throughout the III Corp area of South Vietnam. Perry also shares his experiences with readjusting to civilian life after his return to the states.

Howard Peters - Governor Jim Edgar Project

Born in Arkansas and raised in Tennessee, Howard Peters moved to Illinois in 1969 to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. In 1971, he began working at the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles, Illinois, and over the next twenty years stayed with the IL Department of Corrections, steadily moving up the ranks. In 1990, while serving as warden at the Pontiac Maximum Security Prison, newly elected Governor Jim Edgar selected him as the Director of the Department of Corrections. He later served as Edgar’s Deputy Chief of Staff and became the first Secretary of Human Services.

Thien Khoc Pham - Vietnam War

Pham Thien Khoc was born in 1944 and grew up in South Vietnam during a time of war. He was drafted into the Army in 1967, and was trained as an engineer officer, being commissioned in December, 1967. Pham served with the 10th Engineer Regiment in northern South Vietnam, where he was stationed in 1973 at the time of the Paris Peace Accords. In 1975, when South Vietnam fell to the Communists, he fled to a remote area of the countryside and hid out until he was captured by government officials. He spend the next year in a brutal reeducation camp until his health broke and he was unable to work. He was then released, but with strict limitations. For the next year he was frequently harassed by the authorities, and forced to do community work for them.

Thien Khoc Pham - Immigrant Stories

Pham Thien Khoc served in the South Vietnamese Army from 1967 to the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, then spent a year in a brutal reeducation camp until his health broke and he was unable to work in the camp. He was then released, but was constantly harassed by authorities. In 1978 he decided to change his identity and move the family. Knowing they were constantly at risk, he fled Vietnam in 1989 with his oldest son, and finally made it to a refugee camp in Thailand. In 1996, faced with no good options, he returned to Vietnam with the understanding that American embassy workers would help him leave Vietnam. He and the family were finally able to come to America in 1998.

James 'Pate' Philip - Obama in Illinois

James 'Pate' Philip served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1966 to 1974, and in the Illinois Senate from 1975 to 2002. Senator Philip hailed from the Republican stronghold of DuPage County, and for most of his years in the Senate (1981-2002) he served as the leader of the Republican caucus, and after 1993 as the Senate President. Philip developed a reputation for being a 'straight-talking Marine' who often was criticized for off-color comments. Philip was a traditional conservative on fiscal issues as well as on the Equal Rights Amendment, gun control, crime and the death penalty. His comments on fellow state senator Barack Obama are brief, reflecting the relatively low profile Obama had in the Illinois Senate during his time as a member. Also present during the interview was Carter Hendren, Senator Philip's chief of staff during his long tenure in the Senate.

Senator James 'Pate' Philip - Legislators Project

James 'Pate' Philip served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1966 to 1974, and in the Illinois Senate from 1975 to 2002, when he retired. Senator Philip hailed from the Republican stronghold of DuPage County, and for most of his years in the Senate (1981-2002) he served as the leader of the Republican caucus. In 1993, after the Republicans won control of state redistricting, he became Senate President. During his tenure as the Republican leader, Philip developed a reputation for being a 'straight-talking Marine.' He consistently fought for fiscal responsibility, was a traditional conservative on such issues as the Equal Rights Amendment, gun control, crime and the death penalty, and was a strong advocate for the interests of the Chicago suburbs and downstate. Also present during the interview was Carter Hendren, Senator Philip's chief of staff during his long tenure in the Senate.

Dr. William Phillips - School District Reorganization

Dr. William Phillips is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Illinois in Springfield. He has conducted over 40 reorganization studies for school districts in Illinois who were going through the painful process of reorganization or consolidation of rural school districts. He shares his considerable insights into the process during this interview.

Marcus Phillips - War On Terror

Marcus Phillips joined the Michigan Army National Guard in 2004 while still in high school, and trained as an airframe mechanic working on helicopters. Phillips was deployed to Combat Operations Base (COB) Adder in Tahil, Iraq from November 2009 to August 2010. While deployed, he serviced aircraft used for medical evacuation, and was assigned to a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team. Marcus is married to Sasha Phillips, whom he met while in Advanced Individual Training in Ft. Eustis, Virginia.

Sasha Phillips - War On Terror

Sasha Phillips was in eighth grade in 2001, and enlisted in the Illinois National Guard at the age of seventeen in 2006. By 2009 she was serving in Afghanistan, working as a helicopter mechanic in sites that included Kandahar and at Bagram Air Base. She experienced mortar fire during her tour, and received the Combat Action Badge. Sasha married Marcus Phillips in 2010. The two had met during their Advance Individual Training at Ft. Eustis, Virginia.

Webster Phillips - World War II

Webster Phillips was drafted in November, 1942, and after basic infantry training at Ft. Benning Georgia, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 117th Infantry Regiment, part of the 30th Infantry Division. The unit landed at Omaha beach just days after the D-Day invasion, and soon saw action at the St. Lo breakout. Serving with the unit's Intelligence and Reconnaissance section, Phillips earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars during the unit's fight through northern Europe. The division held the crucial northern 'shoulder' during the Battle of the Bulge.

William H. 'Bill" Phillips - Vietnam War

Bill Phillips grew up as the son of teachers in Chenoa, Illinois. In 1969, following his first year of teaching in Pontiac, he was drafted, and soon received training as a medic. Assigned to the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam, Phillips spent time with an armored battalion, then was transferred to a medical evacuation unit, where he rode to the evacuation of countless American casualties. He finished his time in Vietnam serving as a company medic in an Infantry unit. That unit participated in the invasion of Cambodia. During R and R in Hawaii, Phillips contracted malaria, and spent the rest of his tour working as a clerk at the Tripler Army Medical Center.

Rich Piatchek - IHSA

Rich Piatchek discusses his work as a long time high school athletic director and coach at Hillcrest High School and later Andrew High School, and the role that the Illinois High School Association plays in overseeing the state's high school sports scene. Rich reviews some of the major changes that have been made over the years, and also discusses his role in state championship games in baseball, basketball, and football.

Lawrence Pickett - War On Terror

Lawrence Pickett grew up in a military family, and joined ROTC in college. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the Infantry. He served in Iraq during Desert Shield-Desert Storm in 1990-1991, then left active duty in 1994. Pickett later joined the U.S. Army Reserves, serving in the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade. He deployed to Iraq with that unit in 2003, and returned to Iraq in 2006, performing Civil Affairs duties in Baghdad. In 2008-2009 he served in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan as part of a Provisional Reconstruction Team.

William Pieper - IHSA

Bill Pieper discusses his involvement with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) through his work as a golf coach at Monmouth High School (now Monmouth-Roseville). He also reviews his own interest in golf and how golf grew in popularity throughout the Monmouth area.

David Pierce - Community College Project

David Pierce tells the story of the Community College System as a math teacher, College Dean, College president, Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board, Chancellor of the Virginia System, and President of the 50 State Association of Community Colleges. He highlights some of the unique aspects of Illinois’s Community College system due to the influences of local control.

Dr. Max Pierson - School District Reorganization

Dr. Max Pierson served for thirteen years as Superintendent in the Gridley, Pontiac-Esmen, Cornell, and Savanna school districts, and later went on to serve another thirteen years in the Education Department at Western Illinois University. He has published numerous studies on Illinois school reorganizations, including works on school financing and legislative issues pertaining to reorganization.

Henry Pillard - Community College Project

Henry Pillard worked at Joliet Junior College from 1965 to 1988 as a Dean for student services and as a wrestling coach. He discusses Joliet Junior College's transition from being part of the high school district to being its own school with a 368-acre site. His interview covers how Joliet Junior College dealt with the changes due to the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and student unrest. Pillard also discusses some of the unique aspects of Joliet Junior College, including its students, trustees, the culinary arts, nursing, the EMT/Fire service program, law enforcement, and transfer success.

Robert S. Pinkerton - Pension Crisis in Illinois

Robert Pinkerton, the past president of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA), gives his perspective on Illinois' severe pension crisis. He has extensive experience through several important roles in the Illinois Retired Teacher Association, positions that placed him in direct contact with the development of pension related legislation.

Bill Piper - Korean War

Bill Piper was a Korean War veteran serving with the 40th Infantry Division. He saw action in 1953 first as a communications wireman, then in the Battalion Intelligence Section for the 2nd BN, 160th Infantry Regiment. Piper saw action at Heartbreak Ridge, and served for a month at a POW camp on Koje-Do island.

Carol Plodzien - Girls Basketball

Carol Plodzien was the first girls’ head basketball coach at Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois. Before the initiation of interscholastic girls’ sports in Illinois, she was the coordinator of the Girls' Athletic Association. In 1977, her team was one of eight teams advancing to the first girls’ state basketball tournament in Illinois. The first championship tournament was at Horton Fieldhouse at Illinois State University on April 1st and 2nd 1977.

Mark Plummer - Historians Speak

Dr. Mark Plummer received his PhD in history from the University of Kansas in 1960. He became a Professor of History at Illinois State University in the same year, where he worked until his retirement in 1994. While at Illinois State, Dr. Plummer taught courses in American and Asian history, and served as Departmental Chair on three occasions. He also served as President of the Illinois State Historical Association in 1985. Some of his major publications include works on Governor Richard Oglesby and orator Robert G. Ingersoll.

Alexander Polikoff - Public School Funding

Alexander Polikoff of Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI) discusses his involvement in a school funding litigation case, 'Carr v Koch,' which was litigated from 2010-2012. The case originated in the Circuit Court in Sangamon County, then was heard at the Appellate Court level, and finally at the Illinois Supreme Court. The plaintiffs argued that taxpayers in poorer school district were paying higher property taxes than those in wealthier school districts, a violation of the state Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. The IL Supreme Court ultimately ruled against the plaintiffs.

Dr. Robert Poorman - Community College Project

Dr. Robert Poorman served as the first president for Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois, beginning in 1976 until he stepped down from that post in 1988. Dr. Poorman highlights the challenges faced at Lincoln Land Community College during its earliest years, and its growth over an eleven county area, and later stretching to fifteen counties.

David Porter - Civics Education

Dave Porter is a life-long journalist and publisher who discusses his involvement in the Governor’s Civics Education Task Force, representing the perspective of Illinois media. He covers the structure of the Task Force, its recommendations to the governor and the legislature, and the result of their efforts as reflected in the state's new civics legislation. Porter also talks about the state of journalism in our contemporary society where social media and the Internet increasingly dominate the scene.

Scott Porter - Ronald Reagan In Dixon

Rev. Scott Porter is a pastor from Sterling, Illinois, who developed a deep interest in President Ronald Reagan's life and career. He saw Reagan during his 1980 campaign as well as at his 1984 birthday celebration in Dixon, Illinois. Scott Porter also went to see Ronald Reagan in 1998, who by that point had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. For several years Porter served on the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Board as well as the Reagan Centennial Commission.

Roger Poszgai - Vietnam War

Roger Poszgai joined the U.S. Army in 1962, beginning his career repairing Nike Hercules missiles in California and Germany. In 1966 he switched his specialty to maintenance of medical equipment, and by September of 1967 he was newly married and assigned to the 32nd Medical Depot at Qui Nhon, South Vietnam. His tour included the Tet Offensive, when the village was attacked by Viet Cong.

Serena Preston - Alternatives in Education

Serena Preston is the Superintendent of the School for the Visually Impaired located in Jacksonville, Illinois. The school is governed and funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services; Department of Rehabilitation Services. Ms. Preston’s describes the special population being served at the School for the Visually Impaired, and how the school addresses each student’s individual needs. She also reviews the school's curriculum, life skills classes and extra-curricular activities available for the students.

Cornelius Price - World War II

Cornelius P. (Pappy) Price is an African-American WW II veteran who saw action in North Africa and the Mediterranean in a segregated Quartermaster unit. Price served in both Sicily and Italy, driving trucks and performing other quartermaster duties with a truck unit that often worked near the front lines.

Gary Price - Gulf War

Gary Price joined the Marine Corps in 1971. By early 1974, after an extensive series of schools, he had completed flight training and had become a helicopter pilot. In 1974 Lt Price was stationed in Okinawa, assigned to HMM 165, (a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron) equipped with CH-46 helicopters. In early 1975 his squadron was ordered to support the evacuation of U.S. personnel from South Vietnam. He sailed to the South China Sea on the USS Dubuque, an amphibious transport dock, which accompanied the USS Essex. Price talks extensively about the evacuation operation.

Gary Price - Vietnam War

Gary Price joined the Marine Corps in 1971. By 1975, he had completed flight training and had become a pilot. He supported the evacuation of U.S. personnel from South Vietnam in 1975. Following this assignment, Price returned to the United States, where he became involved in developing Marine aviation tactics in the 1980s. In August of 1990, Lieutenant Colonel Price led his unit, HMM-161, into Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. In early 1991, Price's unit was involved in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait.

Shannon Price - School District Reorganization

Shannon Price of Bushnell, Illinois became involved in the "Just VOTE No" group seeking to block a three-way consolidation of the Bushnell-Prairie City, Avon and Abington school districts which was under consideration in 2012. She continues her involvement in the Bushnell-Prairie City schools, and testified before Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon's Classroom First Commission, advocating for local control of schools.

Martin Prickett - War On Terror

Martin Prickett was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, joined the Iowa Army National Guard in 2001, and subsequently received training in personnel duties. Since that time, he deployed with the 1088th Personnel Section to Kuwait in 2004, and to Afghanistan in 2011, this time serving in Headquarters Battery of the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery. The unit was stationed at Forward Operating Base Fenty at Jalalabad Army Airfield.

Robert Pritchard - Public School Funding

Former State Representative Robert (Bob) Pritchard, Republican from Hinckley, discusses the history of Illinois public school funding from its beginning the early 1800’s. He traces the school funding debate through the late 1960’s with the new state income tax, the 1970’s with a new State Constitution (Article X), the 1980’s with the Farm Bureau’s CHIEF effort (Changing How Illinois Education is Funded), the 1990’s with Funding Commissions/Task Forces, the Constitutional Amendment vote on Article X, and the many legislative efforts in the 2000’s. He reviews the New Evidence Based Funding Model which was adopted with the successful passage of Senate Bill 1947 in 2017. He further talks about future challenges to this funding model from his perspective as a School Board member, University trustee, county board member, and farmland owner.

Sylvia Puente - Public School Funding

Sylvia Purnte explains the objectives of the Education Funding Advisory Board (EFAB) which she chaired and served on from 2009-2016. She also talks about her role in the state's Early Learning Council, made up of seventy individuals from both the private and public sectors. Sylvia also discusses bilingual education in the new Evidence Based School Funding model. Among the Chicago Public School issues she reviews are the 1995 Chicago Reform Act and the work being done by the Latino Policy Forum.

Paula Purdue - ERA Fight in Illinois

Paula Johnson Purdue began her professional career as a teacher, but in 1976 she was hired to work as a lobbyist for the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and served in that position until 2004. Since the IEA was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, she lobbied for its passage in the Illinois legislature until its defeat in 1982. She knew the key players in that extended battle, both pro and anti-ERA. She continued to push for its passage even after the time frame for its passage expired in 1982. After leaving the IEA in 2004, she worked as a lobbyist for various clients through 2012.

Elizabeth Beth Purvis - Public School Funding

Beth Purvis discusses her work as Secretary of Education under Governor Bruce Rauner while government officials worked on a new public school funding model from 2014-2017. She explained the impact that public school funding had during difficult budget negotiations, the importance of the Legislative Commission on School Funding (2016-2017), and the various educational funding bills which eventually led to House Bill 1947. That legislation resulted in the creation of the Evidence Based Public School Funding model and its accountability component. Beth also discussed the definition of adequacy, the best ways to distribute state funds, and topics such as hold harmless, local capacity target, charter funding, intra-district equity, mandate relief, private school tax credits, third party contracting, and transparency. Also discussed was the debate on Chicago public school pensions and the Chicago Public School Block grant.

Dr. James Quaid - IHSA

Dr. James Quaid discusses his involvement with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) from a variety of perspectives, including that of a student athlete, a coach, a private school principal and as a principal board member and secretary for the Illinois High School Association. He addresses the many challenges and issues that private schools face when working with the IHSA. These issues include eligibility and transfer rules, conference affiliation (often driven by football), sources of funding, coaching availability and the expansion of non-sport activities.

Brent Rademacher - Alternatives in Education

Brent Rademacher discusses the history of Bismark-Henning Rossville-Alvin Cooperative High School, Illinois's second cooperative high school, which began in 2017-2018. The deactivation/reorganization let Rossville-Alvin high school students choose between Bismarck-Henning or Hoopeston Area. Rademacher explains the effort that led to a referendum resulting in the creation of the Bismarck-Henning and Rossville-Alvin. Based on student input, the school's colors and nickname remained the same, while the school's name was changed, as well as the governance structure of the Board of Education, and the financial responsibilities of each district. Brent also discusses the school's new Agriculture program.

Peter Rafferty - Vietnam War

Pete Rafferty was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, the son of a coal miner who died at a young age. In 1963 he achieved his childhood dream by enlisting in the Marines. Following his training he was assigned to the 1st Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. By July, 1965 the unit deployed to South Vietnam, where Rafferty served as a communications and radio operator during numerous combat patrols. He contracted a severe case of malaria late that year and was medevaced home.

Anthony (Tony) Rainey - IHSA

Tony Rainey discusses his life-long involvement with sports, including his own Phillips high school athletic experiences in football, speech, and drama, his role as a high school coach in six sports, being a high school principal, serving as an Illinois High School Association Board of Director, and officiating in track, basketball, and football. Rainey examines the challenges facing smaller private schools and reflects on future issues facing organizations such as the Illinois High School Association.

David Ramsey - Rochester

David Ramsey, born in 1953, grew up in Rochester, Illinois and has farmed for over fifty years. Ramsey shared his own family’s history during the interview, and also discussed the role that James McCoy had in the founding of Rochester, Illinois, and the McCoy family story during the early 19th century.

Lorene Ramsey - Girls Basketball

Lorene Ramsey was a pioneer in girls' athletics in Illinois. She was a teacher and coach for several different schools but is best known for her 34 year career at Illinois Central College (ICC) from 1968-2002. Ramsey was the head coach for women's softball and basketball at ICC, during the time when women's sports were gaining momentum. She coached several NJCAA National Championship teams. She was influential in getting an interscholastic basketball program started in Illinois.

Joseph Rank - Vietnam War

Joseph Rank served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1989, including a tour on the USS Swenson, a WW II vintage destroyer off the shore of Vietnam from March through September of 1970. He returned to the waters off Vietnam in 1972, this time with the USS England, a guided missile cruiser. Following these tours, Lieutenant Rank became a Naval ROTC instructor and also worked on a masters degree at the University of Illinois. Rank emphasizes the confidence and leadership skills he gained from the Navy.

Perry Rannebarger - World War II

Perry Rannebarger was drafted into the U.S. Army in early 1941, initially serving in the Illinois National Guard. Following Pearl Harbor, he was assigned to 132nd Infantry Regiment and was deployed to the Pacific theater where his unit, now part of the Americal Division, fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign. After that, he had a furlough in the Fiji Islands, where he contracted malaria. He later served briefly in France at the end of the war.

Plan Your Visit

What's Inside

More To Do

Educators

Library Research

Junior Historians

Support Us

Follow Us

About Us

Interviews

Social Links