Innovate Illinois winners strike right note (Chicago Sun-Times)
Brad Spirrison: Two Chicago companies were named the state's most innovative entrepreneurs: Harrison Custom Harmonicas and CallPod Inc. The Innovate Illinois entrepreneurial winners announced Wednesday each received $40,000 in cash from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Illinois-Chicago holds off big rally for win Photos (Chicago Tribune)
Mayo's 27 points put UIC on top All things may come to those who wait but Illinois-Chicago pressed its luck a bit Wednesday night in its 84-77 victory over Northern Iowa at the UIC Pavilion.

Body in car identified as missing Illinois woman (The Des Moines Register)
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Davenport police say a body found in the backseat of a car has been identified as a missing Illinois woman.

Cullerton In Line To Be Illinois Senate President (CBS 2 Chicago)
Illinois Senate Democrats picked Chicagoan John Cullerton to become the next Senate president, part of a shake-up Wednesday that could change the atmosphere at a statehouse crippled by feuds and rivalries.

Illinois Senate Dems, GOP Name New Leaders (Chicago Public Radio)
Democrats and Republicans in the Illinois Senate have leadership this morning, after they decided on replacements for their departing leaders last night. Chicago Democrat John Cullerton replaces outgoing Senate President Emil Jones, who announced his retirement in August. Cullerton says he'll continue pushing a capital plan backed by Jones.