Chicago Policy Review

Policy Radio | Former US Representative Steve LaTourette Reflects on Public Life, Public Debt, and an Excess of Lawyers in Washington

Chicago Policy Radio — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:30:19 +0000

Steven C. LaTourette, McDonald Hopkins Government Strategies

Steven C. LaTourette served as the 19th and then 14th district of Ohio’s US Representative from 1994-2013, where he served on the House Appropriations Committee, among others. Currently, Mr. LaTourette is a fellow at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and is the President of the recently created McDonald Hopkins Government Strategies, a lobbying and government relations firm in Washington DC. Prior to his time in office, Mr. LaTourette served as Lake County Prosecutor for seven years. He studied at the University of Michigan and the Cleveland Marshall School of Law.

This week, David Levine speaks with former US Representative Steve LaTourette on what he accomplished during his two decades in Congress, his new opportunities outside of the Capitol, and how polarization in Washington and the growing debt go hand in hand.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine.

Feature photo: cc/Kay Gaensler

Policy Radio | Richard M. Daley on his partnership with the University of Chicago and the City of Gary, Indiana

Chicago Policy Radio — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:00:54 +0000

Richard M. Daley

Richard M. Daley recently finished his tenure as the longest-serving mayor of Chicago, Illinois. Serving from 1989 to 2011, he earned an international reputation as a leader in urban development, fiscal policy, and government stewardship. Currently, he is engaged in a variety of projects, including as a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and as chair of the new “Global Cities Initiative.” The Initiative is a joint project of JP Morgan Chase and the Brookings Institution that aims to help cities identify and leverage their greatest economic development resources.

This week, Julie Cooper speaks with former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley about his partnership with the University of Chicago and the City of Gary, Indiana. Mayor Daley shares his perspectives on how to solve urban issues and how to build vibrant cities.

Special thanks to Carol Brown and Marnie Van Der Voort.

This podcast was produced by Julie Cooper.

Feature photo: cc/Payton Chung

Policy Radio | Special Edition: Derek Eder, Juan Pablo Velez, and OpenGov Hackers on Open Data and Civic-Minded Applications

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:30:37 +0000

Derek Eder, Open City

Juan-Pablo Velez, Open City

Derek Eder is the co-founder of Open City, a collective that makes civic apps with open data, and organizer for OpenGov Chicago, a monthly Meetup group that promotes open data and open government in Chicago and Cook County. He is also the owner of DataMade, LLC, an open government and open data web consulting company.

Juan Pablo Velez is a civic technologist with Open City and organizes Chicago’s OpenGov hack night. He was previously a journalist for the Chicago News Cooperative.

This week, Julie Cooper ventures out to OpenGov Hack Night for a special edition of Chicago Policy Radio. She talks to Derek Eder and Juan Pablo Velez of Open City, as well as other participants at their monthly meetup to talk about open data, how data can change policy, and ways for anyone to get involved in using data to improve governance.

Special thanks to Open City, John Owens, Nicholas Mader, Emily Rosengren, Tom Kompare, Elnaz Moshfeghian, and Young Jin Kim.

This podcast was produced by Julie Cooper.

Feature photo: cc/MadLabUK

Policy Radio | Charles Wheelan on Popular Economics, Running for Office, and Political Centrism

Chicago Policy Radio — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:30:52 +0000

Charles Wheelan, Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College

Charles Wheelan is a senior lecturer and policy fellow at the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College. He is also the author of several books, including Naked Statistics: Stripping the Dread from the Data and Naked Economics: Undressing the Dismal Science, and has served as the Midwest correspondent for The Economist, an economics and finance correspondent for WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and as Director of Policy and Communications for Chicago Metropolis 2020. He holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Chicago’s Harris School, a Master’s in Public Affairs from Princeton University, and a B.A. from Dartmouth College.

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, David Levine sits down with Professor Charles Wheelan to discuss his upcoming book, The Centrist Manifesto, his unsuccessful run for Congress, and the differences between policy wonks and political hacks.

This podcast was produced by David Levine and Claire O’Hanlon.

Feature photo: cc/freefotouk

Policy Radio | Daniel E. Ortega on the Impact of Colombia’s “Plan Cuadrantes” on Crime

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:30:37 +0000

Daniel E. Ortega, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America

Daniel Ortega is Senior Research Economist at CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and associate professor at IESA Business School in Caracas, Venezuela. His research has recently focused on social experimentation and impact evaluation of literacy, education, and anti-crime interventions in Colombia and Venezuela and he is the Coordinator of CAF’s research program on citizen security. Dr. Ortega received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland.

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Lindsey Hearn sits down with economist Daniel Ortega to discuss the impact of Colombia’s “Plan Cuadrantes,” a new police patrol and training program, on crime rates and its broader implications.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Hearn and Drew Blacker.

Feature Photo: cc/mixedeyes

Policy Radio | Lois Scott on Creative Solutions for Chicago’s Infrastructure

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:30:11 +0000

Lois Scott is the Chief Financial Officer of the City of Chicago. Prior to joining city government, Ms. Scott co-founded Scott Balice Strategies LLC, which advises state and local governments on strategic and financial matters. Ms. Scott earned her MBA from Cornell University and is one of the founders of the Chicago-based group Women in Public Finance.

Lois Scott, City of Chicago

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, David Levine sits down with Ms. Scott to discuss solutions to Chicago’s infrastructure problems.

This podcast was produced by David Levine and Lindsey Hearn.

Policy Radio | Dina Smeltz and Craig Kafura on American Public Opinion of U.S. Foreign Policy

Chicago Policy Radio — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:30:41 +0000

Dina Smeltz is a senior fellow in public opinion and foreign policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Prior to her work at the Council, she was the director of research in the Middle East and South Asia division and analyst/director of the European division at the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the U.S. State Department’s Office of Research. Ms. Smeltz holds an MA from the University of Michigan and a BS from Pennsylvania State University.

Dina Smeltz, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Craig Kafura, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Craig Kafura is a senior program officer at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where he coordinates the Council’s public opinion and immigration work. Craig holds an MA from Columbia University and holds a BA from Yale University.

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Julie Cooper sits down with two public opinion researchers from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Dina Smeltz and Craig Kafura, to talk about new trends they discovered in the results of the 2012 Chicago Council Survey on American public opinion of U.S. foreign policy.

This podcast was produced by Julie Cooper and Claire O’Hanlon.

Feature photo: cc/borkur

Policy Radio | Cristal Thomas on Illinois State Government: Present and Future

Chicago Policy Radio — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:30:02 +0000

Cristal Thomas is the Deputy Governor of Illinois, appointed by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in February 2011. Ms. Thomas is responsible for overseeing development and implementation of the Governor’s public policy agenda. Before joining the Quinn Administration, Ms. Thomas served in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Ohio Executive Medicaid Management Administration, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the White House Office of Management and Budget. Ms. Thomas is a graduate of Ohio State University and holds a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

Cristal Thomas, Deputy Governor of Illinois

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Julie Cooper sits down with Cristal Thomas to discuss Governor Pat Quinn’s major policy initiatives, challenges to implementing these policies, and what the future holds for Illinois.

This podcast was produced by Julie Cooper and David Levine.

Feature photo: cc/Teemu008

Policy Radio | Geoffrey Garin Talks Polling, Strategy, and the 2012 Presidential Election

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:00:18 +0000

Geoffrey Garin is the president of survey research firm Peter D. Hart Research Associates. He began working at Hart Research in 1978 and became president in 1984. Mr. Garin has undertaken policy research for foundations, educational institutions, and think tanks on social issues, education, and health care. He has also directed the polling and campaign strategy for many prominent politicians. Mr. Garin graduated from Harvard College in 1975.

Geoffrey Garin, Peter D. Hart Research Associates

On this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Claire O’Hanlon sits down with Geoff Garin to talk about the results of the 2012 presidential election, the changing demography of the electorate, third parties, and how polling has changed over the course of Mr. Garin’s career.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine.

Feature photo: cc/barackobamadotcom

Policy Radio | Alexander Heffner on Youth Political Engagement and the 2012 Presidential Election

Chicago Policy Radio — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:00:21 +0000

Alexander Heffner is a journalist, writer, and civic educator. He is a special correspondent for PBS’s Need to Know, visiting the nation’s universities in search of the college and wider Millennial vote. He founded and edited SCOOP08 and SCOOP44, the first-ever online national student newspapers covering the 2008 presidential election and the Obama administration, respectively.

Alexander Heffner, SCOOP44

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Lindsey Hearn sits down with journalist and civic educator Alexander Heffner to discuss the evolving dynamics of youth political participation and civic engagement, and the implications of the recent emergent trends for the 2012 presidential campaign.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Hearn and David Levine.

Feature photo: cc/chrisjohnbeckett

Policy Radio | Andi Zeisler on Gains and Setbacks for Working Women

Chicago Policy Radio — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:30:05 +0000

Andi Zeisler cofounded Bitch magazine with Lisa Jervis and Benjamin Shaykin in 1996. With zest and candor, the quarterly explores pop culture, feminism, and the media in depth. Zeisler, now Bitch Media’s editorial/creative director, frequently speaks at college campuses around the country and has written for Ms., Mother Jones, Utne, and BUST, among other publications.

Andi Zeisler

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Bradley Crawford sits down with Andi Zeisler, cofounder of Bitch magazine, to talk about family policy, women’s status in developing countries, and the path of women’s progress over the past fifteen years.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine.

Feature Photo: cc/Victor1558

Policy Radio | Arsalan Iftikhar on the American Muslim Experience

Chicago Policy Radio — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:00:24 +0000

Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer, global media commentator and author of the book Islamic Pacifism: Global Muslims in the Post-Osama Era. Arsalan is also a regular weekly commentator for National Public Radio (NPR) and a regular contributing writer for CNN.com and Esquire Magazine (Middle East edition) on domestic and international issues affecting our world today. In May 2011, Arsalan was named one of the top 12 Muslim Twitter accounts in the world by The Huffington Post.

Arsalan Iftikhar

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Bassam Aoun sits down with Arsalan Iftikhar to talk about the American Muslim experience, immigration, and the changing demographics of the United States.

This podcast was produced by Gunner Hamlyn.

Feature photo: cc/Asterio Tecson

Policy Radio | Urban Development in a Midwestern Underdog

Chicago Policy Radio — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:41 +0000

Keith Bosman is the Mayor of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Prior to being elected Mayor in 2008, Mr. Bosman served as an alderman on Kenosha City Council and as a member of the Police and Fire Commission. Before he entered politics, he worked for food distributor Dierks Waukesha.

Mayor Keith Bosman

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Mark Bergen sits down with Mayor Keith Bosman to talk about economic development in mid-size, Midwestern cities like Kenosha, Wisconsin.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine. Special thanks to Paula Worthington and Matt Gee.

Feature Photo: cc/cmh2315fl

Policy Radio | Amos Gil on a Divided Jerusalem

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:45:19 +0000

Amos Gil is the Founding Executive Director of Ir-Amim (“City of Peoples”, “City of Nations”), an Israeli not-for-profit organization that specializes in the unique circumstances of Jerusalem in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also served as the first Executive Director of Manhattan’s Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, the world’s largest gay and lesbian Jewish congregation, and as the first Executive Director of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Israel’s oldest human rights group. He currently serves as a consultant to various not-for-profits and businesses in the United States and Israel.

Amos Gil

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Thomas Day sits down with Amos Gil to talk about life in Jerusalem for both Israelis and Palestinians and how Jerusalem impacts the possibility of a two-state solution.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine.

Feature Photo: cc/Brian Negin

Policy Radio | David Garcia-Junco Has Mexico Covered

Chicago Policy Radio — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:45:58 +0000

David Garcia-Junco Machado is the Commissioner for Social Protection in Health in Mexico. In this role, he oversees Seguro Popular, a national health insurance program established in 2003. Mr. Garcia-Junco obtained a B.A. in Public Administration from El Colegio de México and an M.A. in Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School. He has worked for McKinsey and the World Bank, and as a government official, he has worked in the education, social development, and health sectors.

David Garcia-Junco

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Thomas Day sits down with David Garcia-Junco Machado to discuss Seguro Popular, its impact on health care for Mexicans, and investing in Mexico’s future.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine.

Feature Photo: cc/Federal Government of Mexico

Policy Radio | Meghann Moses on Workforce Development

Chicago Policy Radio — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:05:07 +0000

Meghann Moses is founder and president of MKM Consultants, LLC, which provides consulting services to non-profit and government agencies in the areas of workforce, economic, and community development. Prior to founding MKM, Ms. Moses held a variety of positions at the Chicago Workforce Investment Council, the Chicago Jobs Council, and National Equity Fund, Inc. She holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Meghann Moses

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Claire O’Hanlon sits down with Meghann Moses to talk about the issues workforce development is trying to address and why creating jobs is not enough to reduce chronic unemployment.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine.

Feature photo: cc/photologue_np

Policy Radio | Health Care for the Next Generation

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:00:33 +0000

Dr. Genevieve M. Kenney is a Senior Fellow and economist at the Urban Institute with over twenty years’ experience conducting policy research. Dr. Kenney is a nationally renowned expert on Medicaid and The Children’s Health Insurance Program. In her current research, she is examining the implications of the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid coverage of family planning services, and state efforts to enroll more children in Medicaid and CHIP coverage.

Dr. Genevieve Kenney

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Thomas Day sits down with Dr. Genevieve Kenney of the Urban Institute to talk about the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Affordable Healthcare Act, and the impact of these programs on the health of American children.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine. Special thanks to Matt Gee and Gillian Kindel.

Feature photo: cc/Toca Boca

Policy Radio | Cyber Security In the 21st Century

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:00:29 +0000

David Benson is a Ph.D. candidate in the Political Science Department at the University of Chicago. He is also Program Coordinator for the Program on International Politics, Economics, and Security (PIPES), and a research fellow at the Chicago Project on Security and Terrorism (CPOST). Prior to coming to the University of Chicago, David served six and a half years in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Iraq in 2006, followed by a year and a half as an intelligence analyst and instructor for the Joint-IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) in the Department of Defense.

David Benson

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Thomas Day sits down with David Benson to discuss cyber terrorism, its implications for international security, and the often exaggerated perception of this risk.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine. Special thanks to Britta Glennon.

Feature photo: cc/Jill Motts

Policy Radio | Tom Wolf on the Changing Landscape of Energy Production

Chicago Policy Radio — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:22:41 +0000

Tom Wolf is the Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Energy Council, which encourages the development and availability of all kinds of energy and conservation measures in an environmentally responsible and cost-effective way. Mr. Wolf joined the Chamber in 2008 after more than 20 years as a public affairs executive, senior strategist, and project manager for corporate, not-for-profit and government clients.

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Claire O’Hanlon sits down with Tom Wolf to talk about where our energy comes from, how the sources of energy in Illinois are changing, and what policymakers can do to help the energy sector.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine. Special thanks to Bradley Crawford, Jessica Polos, and Matt Gee.

Feature photo: cc/BradWilke

Policy Radio | Donald Cox on Intergenerational Transfers

Chicago Policy Radio — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:14:29 +0000

Donald Cox is a professor of Economics at Boston College. His main research area concerns intergenerational transfer behavior, and his recent work is focused on the implications of reproductive and evolutionary biology for the economics of family behavior. He has served as a consultant for the World Bank and is currently study section participant at the National Institutes of Health. Cox holds a Ph.D. in economics from Brown University and received his undergraduate degree in economics from Boston College.

Dr. Donald Cox

In this week’s episode of Chicago Policy Radio, Thomas Day discusses intergenerational transfers with Dr. Donald Cox, Professor of Economics at Boston College. Learn about the impact public transfers may have on private transfers and why giving your daughter more money than your son may be the sensible thing to do.

This podcast was produced by Claire O’Hanlon and David Levine. Special thanks to Ashlee Gabrysch.

Feature photo: cc/Ina