Carla Wyckoff shows lead for Lake County clerk

GOP's Carla Wyckoff led opponent Democrat Janet Kilkelly to victory in the Lake County clerk's race, according to unofficial tallies Tuesday.

Wyckoff garnered 108,117, or 58 percent of the votes, compared to Kilkelly with 79,617, or 42 percent with all 415 precincts reporting. Wyckoff replaces veteran Republican Clerk Willard R. Helander, who didn't seek re-election for another four-year term.

"I'm very humbled and gratified by the response of the voters of Lake County," Wyckoff said. "We certainly ran worthy races."

Wyckoff, 66, of Lake Forest, is an assistant state's attorney in Lake County.

She likely would leave that job to serve as clerk. "They're both full-time jobs," she said. Wyckoff has never held elected office.

Although not an employee of the clerk's office, Wyckoff has worked with the office through the years as one of its lawyers. The state's attorney's lawyers represent county employees in legal matters. She campaigned on that connection, saying that familiarity would be an advantage if elected.

Kilkelly, 60, of Waukegan, is a Waukegan Park District commissioner and a former Waukegan Township trustee. She also served on the Waukegan Port District board.

All votes will be considered unofficial until provisional ballots can be counted in the next two weeks.