Lake County Clerk Carla Wyckoff says first day of filing went smoothly

The start of candidate filing for the April 2015 consolidated election was the first big test of new Lake County Clerk Carla Wyckoff's fledgling political career.

It's standard duty for the clerk's office to handle candidate filings during general elections. But this year, the office is taking applications from all of the school board candidates running in the April 7 consolidated local election.

Previously, those candidates filed their forms with the individual school district offices.

Fortunately, Wyckoff said, things couldn't have gone better Monday.

About 50 candidates were waiting in line at the clerk's office in Waukegan when the doors opened at 8:30 a.m., and Wyckoff and her team were prepared.

With extra employees assigned to handle the deluge of paperwork, the staffers processed their petitions, provided staplers, directed people to notaries and handled other tasks without any problems.

Other workers helped people who came to the office for non-election reasons, such as marriage licenses.

"It went very smoothly," said Wyckoff, a Lake Forest Republican. "It really is a testament to the staff here."

Wyckoff won election in November and took office Dec. 1. She replaced longtime Clerk Willard Helander, who opted not to seek re-election.

Wyckoff said she spoke with Helander and former Deputy Clerk Cindy Pagano at an event this past weekend.

"They wished me luck for today," Wyckoff said.

The filing period will conclude Dec. 22.