Taking On New Challenges: County Clerk Candidate Carla Wyckoff

One of the first questions some asked when I decided to run for Lake County Clerk was “why now, why at this point in your life”? The short answer: when I look back it is almost as if this is something I’ve been working toward my entire life.

Service has been a big component of my life. After graduating college in 1970, I worked for the American Medical Association for 16 years focusing on legislative, political and legal issues. During this time I also attended business school in the evening. In 1986 I left the AMA post to start a family and to attend law school.

Upon completion of my law degree I worked briefly for the 19th Judicial Circuit Court and then joined the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. One of my major responsibilities was to represent the Clerk’s Office and within that assignment, my focus became elections and vital records.

For the past 14 years, I’ve had the privilege to learn first hand about the operations of the Clerk’s office and to study election law as it pertains to the office.

I also made it my mission to serve the communities in which I’ve lived. I’ve volunteered with groups like the Chicago Jaycees, the Pennington, New Jersey Library Board, the Boy Scouts, the Independence Center and others.

When the current Clerk, Willard Helander, announced that she was retiring after 20 years, it occurred to me that I could make an even bigger contribution to my community. With my education and experience it is a logical next step.
After substantial encouragement from my son and daughter I am enthusiastically embarking on these new challenges and hope to serve the citizens of Lake County.