Midwest Energy News (Oct. 4) -- An extensive, statewide study of the future of the power grid kicked off last week when hundreds of company representatives, regulators, academics and other industry insiders convened in Chicago to mark the start of NextGrid, an 18-month consumer-focused collaborative study to transform Illinois’ energy landscape and economy. In August, the Illinois Commerce Commission selected the electrical and computer engineering department at Illinois as the lead facilitator of NextGrid. Also: Quincy Herald-Whig (Oct. 9), Seattle Times (Oct. 15)