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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa's coveted position as the first-in-the-nation nominating contest faces its most daunting challenge in decades in light of problems that kept the state Democratic Party from reporting results.

The caucuses were already facing plenty of headwinds amid criticism that the overwhelmingly white state isn't representative of the country's diversity. And the final weeks of the campaign were complicated by President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, which sidelined several candidates and left Iowa eerily quiet at a pivotal moment.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democratic party officials in Iowa worked furiously Tuesday to deliver the delayed results of their first-in-the-nation caucus, as frustrated presidential candidates claimed momentum and plowed ahead in their quest for the White House.

In a statement early Tuesday, the Iowa Democratic Party blamed a “coding issue in the reporting system” that it said has since been fixed. The problem kept party officials from releasing results from Monday's caucus, the much-hyped kickoff to the 2020 primary.

The League of Women Voters of McHenry County hosted the last judicial candidate forum for this primary season Monday evening at McHenry County College.

The judicial panel was joined by 3rd SubCircuit of the 22nd Judicial Circuit candidates Jeannie Ridings, Justin Hansen, Mary McClellan and Donald Brewer; 4th SubCircuit judicial candidates Kimberly Crum Kline and Mark Gerhardt; and Circuit Court judge candidates Beth Vonau and David Gervaise.

The goal of the forum, Catherine Williams, president of LWV in McHenry, said was

SPRINGFIELD – Soybean farmers in Illinois cannot catch a break.

After a promising trade deal with China last month gave farmers hope amid an intense trade war, the deadly Wuhan coronavirus currently overwhelming China is also damaging its economy.

The country’s economic slump is now sowing fears that China might not be able to buy all of the $32 billion of U.S.

Several Metra trains were not in operation Tuesday morning after a train derailed at Crystal Lake Yard at around 12:30 a.m.

"Customers should expect delays up to 30 minutes and listen to platform announcements for potential track changes," a statement from Union Pacific-Northwest's social media account stated.

The No. 624 train, set to depart from Crystal Lake at 7 a.m., was one of the trains that did not operate.

At 8:15 a.m.

A 23-year-old Woodstock man is facing an aggravated assault charge after reportedly shooting his gun into the ground, Woodstock police said Monday.

Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of Linden Drive at around 12:15 a.m. Monday after the shots were heard.

Lieb said the incident was believed to be a domestic situation where a female was entering what was believed to be her residence with a male companion.

Several lawmakers have called for McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks to resign after Friday’s revelation that the Illinois State Police has been investigating Franks for sexual misconduct and stalking allegations.

The allegations date back to Franks’ time as a state legislator.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Democratic Party said Monday night that results from the state’s first-in-the-nation caucus were delayed due to “quality checks” and new reporting rules.

“The integrity of the results is paramount,” party spokesperson Mandy McClure said.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood’s guest for Tuesday night’s State of the Union address will be Karen Battaglia, the trauma coordinator for emergency services at Northwestern Medicine McHenry.

For more than 20 years, Battaglia has worked to improve the health and lives of thousands of people in her community as a nurse. Along with her work to save lives, she has worked to improve community safety through coordinating community programs such as SAFE Kids, poison prevention workshops and bicycle helmet fittings for children.

McHenry County Board member Chuck Wheeler and other Second Amendment rights advocates are trying to collect signatures to put an advisory referendum on the general election ballot to protect gun rights.

The proposed referendum would read, “Shall McHenry County stand as a pro-Second Amendment county that protects lawful gun owners from unconstitutional laws passed by the Illinois General Assembly?”

“This advisory referendum does not take a position on the issue but rather gives county residents the option to voice