What does Illinois export and to which countries? While overshadowed by Springfield politics regarding pensions, concealed weapons, and gay marriage, Governor Pat Quinn recently visited Mexico on a trade mission. This jaunt was the fifth such mission having previously visited: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, & China. Leaving aside FDI and trade in services (for this articleContinue reading “What Does Illinois Export?”
Author Archives: andrewatnu
Global Chicago’s Summer Guide for Just About Everyone
The trees are flowering, and the weather is heating up. Spring has sprung and it’s time to take advantage of Chicago’s next season, construction…errr, summer! And with summer comes a plethora of amazing international events. For the Outdoorsy: International Sculpture Conference Outdoor Exposition (All Summer) Whether you’re biking, skating, walking or yachting on Chicago’s LakeContinue reading “Global Chicago’s Summer Guide for Just About Everyone”
Governor for the Day? The problem of over-simplification
Earlier today I came across a very interesting resource: an interactive model of the Illinois state budget. In case you have been living under a rock, Illinois is about as well-run as gymnasium managed by chimpanzees (and I fear that I give that state’s legislators too much credit in the comparison). The extent of Illinois’Continue reading “Governor for the Day? The problem of over-simplification”
Boeing goes Back to Business after Battery Troubles
After nearly three months, Boeing’s cutting-edge 787 was reapproved for commercial flight. Chicago-based Boeing’s new jet had suffered delays in the past related to its groundbreaking electronics system and composite body. However, the most recent problem related to its Lithium battery have been worse because this was after airlines had begun utilize the aircraft. EvenContinue reading “Boeing goes Back to Business after Battery Troubles”
Mali: Rebuilding?
Wars are not always easy, but in the case of Mali, it may be the rebuilding that is much more difficult. Malian & French troops quickly routed a Tuareg rebellion earlier this year. To prevent future spark ups, French and American troops are installing military installations in neighboring, Niger. However, the legacy of the latestContinue reading “Mali: Rebuilding?”
US Elections: They are far from perfect, yet you should STILL vote!
On the eve of local elections in Illinois, it’s good to think about what it means to vote in America. Most races here are majoritarian. The person with the most votes wins the race. Typically, that person does not even need a majority of votes (50% +1). Rather, they need only a plurality or theContinue reading “US Elections: They are far from perfect, yet you should STILL vote!”
Who is responsible for Chicago’s Crazy Weather?
First, it’s freezing. Then, it’s 60 degrees and thundering. Now we are on to snow storm after snow storm. Chicago weather has been something else this year and as it turns out, it might be partly our fault. The Department of Energy recently released the 2010 data for carbon dioxide emissions per state. For Illinois, theContinue reading “Who is responsible for Chicago’s Crazy Weather?”
Mali at War with Itself
Some updates to my last post. Since then, there have been some positive signs. Niono itself is now securely in the hands of the Malian military as French troops have already reached the edge of Timbuktu. At the same time, accusations of ethnic-based murders by the MALIAN army have been really disturbing. Then, there is theContinue reading “Mali at War with Itself”
The Mali I Knew
This post is not about the country currently torn in two by Tuareg rebels and their Al-Qaida allies whose extremism has recent spread like a disease to Algeria, but of what I saw in Mali a few years ago. The Mali then was no paradise. It suffered under the chains of poverty and its peopleContinue reading “The Mali I Knew”
Streetwise Goes Global!
Streetwise, a local magazine written and sold by Chicagoans affected by homelessness, had a great issue over the New Years. For those that don’t know Streetwise is a real asset to the community. In a job market that has far too few entry level positions, this non-profit allows those who are homeless or in fearContinue reading “Streetwise Goes Global!”
Andrew Levin 