Peace Day celebrated in Chicago

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by Wendell A. LaGrand

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas was on hand to give awards to several individuals who participated in the 30th Peace Day Anniversary celebration that was held at Daley Plaza on last Friday.

The event featured a call to peace, festival concert, cultural performances, speakers, a display of over 100 flags of the world, a build the peace exhibit and parade.

Peace Day in Chicago was born from the vision of The Peace Schools founder, the late MyungSu Y.S. Kim.

He believed that the United States was a special mission for peace, says his son Charles H.C. Kim, who is also the non-profit schools president. His aim was to make peace for individuals and for society, Kim says.

Jennifer Kim, Chairperson of the Chicago Build the Peace Committee said the goal is to make Chicago amodel city of peace. Mayor Richard M. Daley and all of his predecessors have supported Peace Day since its inception. The event has been officially celebrated in

Chicago every year since 1978.

The city is also an official United Nations Peace Messenger city.

The states unemployment rate dipped two points in August from10.3 to 10.1 percent according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). IDES notes August decrease as, eighth consecutive month to show steady or declining unemployment rates, stated in a Sep. 16 press release. In addition, more than 900 manufacturing jobs were added to the states labor pool

during August. This increase reflects a six consecutive month growth in the vital sector.

IDES Director Maureen ODonnell stated in the release, So far this year, Illinois has added more than 37,000 jobs and reported declining or steady unemployment rates for eight consecutive months. ODonnell added that the current employment influx may not be felt by people in communities just yet but Continuing to create jobs, retrain workers and encourage investment offers the best plan to break free from this stubborn national recession, she said.

For the past year, Illinois unemployment rate has been higher than the national average. In August 2009, the national rate was 9.7 percent in comparison to Illinois 10.6 percent. In August 2010, the nations unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in contrast to Illinois10.1 percent. The states adjusted unemployment rate changes seasonally. Seasonally adjusted jobs are usually positions that are not non-farm or agricultural related. The industries include: mining, construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation & utilities, information, financial activities, professional and business services, educational and health services, leisure and hospitality, and government.

Illinois leads the country in supplementing manufacturing jobs. The state sees 1.8 percent while the country saunters at 1.3 percent. The release cites that Illinois has added 37,600 private sector jobs to its workforce in 2010. The Professional and Business Services sector leads in this progression with 19,000 jobs while the Educational and Health Services sector lags with 7,100.

The state unemployment rate is not representative of individuals who receive unemployment benefits. The rate classifies individuals that are not working and are pursuing employment. Unemployed workers drawing benefits are accounted for independently. A person who exhausts unemployment insurance benefits, or who is ineligible for benefits, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work, according to the release.

While the Illinois unemployment rate is slightly higher than the national average, the state is steadfastly decreasing its rate. With the help of federally funded programs and unemployment insurance, the IDES continues to monitors the states unemployment rate. So far this year, the Illinois economy has grown 0.7 percent while the national economy has grown 0.6 percent.

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