Our Kenmore Elite dishwasher still turns on, washes dishes and all but it sounds like it is whining through the cycle -- it is higher pitched than normal. Any suggestions?

It sounds like you have some trash in a spray arm or in the pump, possibly. The only other thing that can do this is a bad bearing in the motor. Check your filter and remove both spray arms and clean them out. I have seen broken glass get in these arms before. Look at this: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Kenmore_Ultrawash_Dishwasher.pdf
It's not your exact model, but it will help. Also: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Whirlpool_Dishwasher_Service_manual.pdf
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/whirlpool_dishwasher.pdf
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8010163/Whirlpool_Kenmore%20Dishwashers.zip
These are download links. Good luck and let us know what you find.