Sun-Times Media Group to close 12 suburban papers

A dozen of Pioneer Press' local weekly newspapers are being eliminated as a cost-cutting move by its parent company, the Sun-Times Media Group, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

The following titles will cease publication on Thursday, Jan. 15, said Tammy Chase, director of corporate communications for the Sun-Times Media Group:

• The Algonquin

Countryside

• The Arlington Heights Post

• The Cary-Grove

Countryside

• The Des Plaines Times

• The Elk Grove Times

• The Hoffman Estates

Review

• The Mount Prospect Times

• The Niles Herald Spectator

• The Palatine Countryside

• The Proviso Herald

• The Rolling Meadows

Review

• The Wheeling Countryside

The changes eliminated "some unprofitable titles" as part of a previously announced corporate decision to reduce annual expenses by $45 million to $55 million, Chase said.

Chase did not know if the company planned to close any of its offices. Pioneer Press Publisher Larry Green declined to comment Thursday, as did Editor in Chief Jeff Wisser.

The cuts represent about 24 percent of the Pioneer Press line. Thirty-nine Pioneer Press newspapers will remain, Chase said.

In addition to the Pioneer Press newspapers, the publicly traded Sun-Times Media Group owns publications including the Chicago Sun-Times, the Lake County News Sun, the Elgin Courier News and the Naperville Sun.