One potential buyer for the Sun-Times is Denver-based MediaNews Group, whose CEO is William Dean Singleton, Crain's Chicago Business reported.

The newspaper will continue to publish a “very tiny” business section, under the direction of Deputy Business Editor Polly Smith, Miller told Crain's. “There isn't much need for a business section editor when there isn't much of a business section or staff to direct.”

Last week, the Sun-Times notified the Chicago Newspaper Guild it plans to cut 32 reporters and other editorial staff, and today began laying off non-union newsroom staff, including Assistant Managing Editor Avis Weathersbee and three from its editorial board: Michelle Stevens, Lloyd Sachs and Michael Gillis.

“I don't see the business plan that works right now” for large metro dailies, said Miller, who was also the first editor of Crain's Chicago Business in 1978 and a former chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission.