* No simple fix to Illinois’ workers’ comp system, officials agree: Most of those involved in Illinois workers’ compensation system agree reforms are needed, but there’s no agreement yet on what form those changes should take. “It’s a very complex issue – we’re moving along, but I wouldn’t say we’ve reached any major agreements,” said Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, who represents Illinois House Republicans on a bipartisan workers’ comp committee set up by Gov. Pat Quinn.

* Flood waters rising?: Southern Illinois towns along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers are making preparations for the possibility of flooding as the waters continue to rise. With weekend rain and the potential for more wet weather early this week, county emergency management personnel are hoping for the best but preparing sandbags just in case.

* UAW approves new deal with CAT

* Editorial: Online sales tax bill would help Illinois: If forced to collect sales taxes, the affiliates could shut down or move to other states, reducing overall economic activity here. Big online retailers such as Amazon could sever their relationships with local affiliates, again hurting the local economy. The bottom-line success of similar legislation in other states is heavily debated and has led to lengthy litigation.

* Judge to weigh rival plans in Trib bankruptcy case: The hearing edges Tribune Co. closer toward shedding most of the roughly $13 billion that it carried into bankruptcy protection. If it can unload the debt, the company believes it can make money while it tries to adapt to a marketing shift to the Internet.

* Editorial: Quinn is on wrong track: If we’re not going to build real high-speed rail, we shouldn’t be doing it all.

* Job growth key to population growth in Springfield and elsewhere: The fact that seven major businesses are being wooed — he wouldn’t identify them — is a testament to improvement in the economy nationwide, he said.

* Boost for Midwest manufacturing

* Bank kicks off investment on West Side: U.S. Bank unveiled its plans Friday to invest on Chicago’s West Side, highlighting a $600,000 investment and plans to renovate six foreclosed homes in Austin and Maywood that have already begun.

* Five energy companies take on ComEd to power Chicago area

* Chicago says it cost $37.3 million to remove blizzard snow - Tab for airports alone put at $14.5 million

* City’s share of Jesse White Tumbler gym doubles, to $10 million

* City Hall hired 139 ex-cons in two years

* Blagojevich wants to travel to England

* Washington: Blackest name in the U.S.? Mine.

* Among Blacks, Mayoral Election Forces a Push for New Ideas and Leaders: “I call them the ‘remember-when crew’” Mr. Jackson said. “Remember when Harold said this? Remember when Harold did that? We need to honor and respect the accomplishments of our elders. But it’s time for them to step back and allow us to serve.”

* Alderman to Rahm Emanuel: Back off Ed Burke: “It would be real hard for a lot of the aldermen to go against Burke. We’re all good to each other. We support each other,” said Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), chairman of the Council’s Black Caucus.

* Rahm Emanuel launches political operation: “New Chicago Committee”: Mayor elect Rahm Emanuel is creating a political action committee, called the “New Chicago Committee,” to bankroll his political operation which will include raising money and donating to other candidates–from aldermanic on up–and causes. Emanuel Deputy Campaign Manager Tom Bowen–who managed Forrest Claypool’s independent Cook County Assesors race–and Alexi Giannoulias’ Senate Democratic primary–will helm the New Chicago Committee.

* Daley’s Legacy of Libraries, Culture and Literacy

* Fulton Board chairman silent on filling vacant seat - Democrats divided over nomination of WIU student Tommy Bohler

* Aurora wants U.S. Navy to name ship after city

* The Jim Les era at Bradley is over

* What’s closed on Pulaski Day