Pat Hughes, the Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer on Tribune Co.-owned news/talk WGN-AM (720), has been named the 2009 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. This marks Hughes' eighth Sportscaster of the Year honor and his fifth in Illinois, having previously won the award in 1996, 1999, 2006 and 2007.

"Pat Hughes has a tremendous connection with Cubs fans through WGN's powerhouse signal," said Tom Langmyer, vice president and general manager of WGN radio. "He is a pure play-by-play artist who also brings out the magic in his partner Ron Santo," added Langmyer.

The 2010 season will mark Hughes' 15th season with WGN radio and the Cubs and his 28th season of broadcasting in Major League Baseball.