Iconic Chicago broadcaster Jonathan Brandmeier has signed a new one-year contract to stay on as morning jock at WLUP-FM The Loop, according to the Trib’s Phil Rosenthal. The station has now also confirmed the re-signing.

There had much speculation surrounding the future of Brandmeier, whose seven-figure deal made him a huge liability for parent company Emmis Communications, who just just reduced its workforce by 7.5 percent and cut payroll for remaining empolyees by 5 percent.

Some observers figured Brandmeier would end up at WGN-AM, taking the 1-4pm shift left vacant when John Williams jumped to mornings late last year. Others figured that Brandmeier was using that speculation as leverage to negotiate a better deal with Emmis. Terms of the new deal have yet to be announced.

In the end, Brandmeier will remain with The Loop for another year. The signing marks the first time in the last year when a high-priced broadcast talent has actually been re-signed rather than taken off the air. Big names like Steve Dahl, Mike North, Eddie & JoBo, and Dan McNeil have all been yanked off the air by their respective companies in cost-cutting efforts.

With Brandmeier off the market, the path seems pretty clear for Garry Meier to slip into the WGN afternoon gig, a role that he has privately confesses he deeply wants. Meier had been auditioning for the last several weeks as WGN continues to try-out various talent for the job.