DeKALB – Aside from the presidential election occurring Tuesday, there are numerous local elections happening in DeKalb County. Republican Riley N. Oncken, Democrat Anna Wilhelmi, Republican Linda Besler and Republican Lori Grubbs spoke to the Northern Star about why they are running and why college students should vote for them.
The following people did not provide comment for this piece: Tammie Shered, Chuck Rose, Rhonda Henke, Laura Hoffman, Roy E. Plote, Joseph R. Marcinkowski, Jerry Osland, Kathleen Lampkins, Amber Quitno, Stewart Ogilvie and Savannah Ilenikhena.
Riley N. Oncken
Question: What are you running for?
Answer: DeKalb County State’s Attorney
Q: Why are you running?
A: I want to be your next State’s Attorney so that I can continue to serve my community. I have spent my entire adult life in DeKalb County serving people as a private attorney and through many different community service organizations and boards. This is a new opportunity to serve the entire county. My wife and I have chosen to raise our four daughters here and I want to make DeKalb County as safe as possible for our family and yours. I will work with our police departments to make our streets safer. I will work with our school districts to make our schools safer. I am committed to seeking justice for victims and ensuring justice for defendants. When I interview someone for a job, I look for two qualities above all: high moral ethics and a strong work ethic. When elected, I will bring those two qualities to the office and will lead by example.
Q: Why should people, specifically college students, vote for you?
A: As a graduate of the NIU College of Law, I have great pride in Northern Illinois University. Unfortunately, in the last 20 years since I graduated law school, I have seen DeKalb become a different place. It is no longer safe for students to walk around certain parts of DeKalb. It seems like not a week goes by without a report of “shots fired” in DeKalb. While I do not claim to have all of the answers, I do know that the NIU Police, DeKalb Police and our other law enforcement agencies have a tough job to do and need our support. My commitment as the next State’s Attorney is that I will listen to our local police departments and try to make my office responsive to their needs and the needs of the NIU community. Together, we can make NIU, DeKalb and DeKalb County a better, safer place to live, go to school and work.
Q: Previous political experience?
A: DeKalb County Board from 2008-2012 and 2013-2015
Anna Wilhemi
Question: What are you running for?
Answer: County Board
Q: Why are you running?
A: I became interested in County Board level business when I discovered our DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center (DCRNC) was put up for sale and there was unrest in the community about the sale. As I started to investigate the situation, I discovered there were issues with the sale and met many great people who were opposed to the sale. After much ado the sale was terminated, and the DCRNC is now no longer under contract and the County Board intends to keep the nursing home. After this decision was made, the Board decided to create an Oversight Board, one that would oversee the DCRNC and make sure what happened does not happen again. I was appointed to the Oversight Board and was elected as Chair. As the Oversight Board Chair, I can do my best to ensure nothing like that happens again to our 170-year-old County home. Recently the Transaction Care Unit has finally opened at the DCRNC in which we hold great pride. The reason I am running for County Board has everything to do with making sure the DCRNC becomes its best self as it was not too long ago. We have residents and families who depend on County care, and those most vulnerable should be taken care of within our own DeKalb County. I also firmly believe that we need to take care of our earth and water, and that means being mindful of clean energy in our County, strong unions make strong communities, and working families thrive where union labor is prevalent, and small business is at the heart of DeKalb County, and we should do our best to support small businesses.
Q: Why should people, specifically college students, vote for you?
A: I am committed to hard work and dedicated to our community.
Q: Previous political experience?
A: Democratic Precinct Committee person, Chair of DeKalb County Democratic Party
Linda Besler
Question: What are you running for?
Answer: County Coroner
Q: Why are you running?
A: Central to my reasons for seeking this position is the fulfillment of playing a key role in investigating deaths to bring answers and closure to grieving families.
Q: Why should people, specifically college students, vote for you?
A: I have the experience and the interpersonal relationships necessary to fulfill the duties of this office. I believe all voters should research candidates before casting their vote. This especially applies to college students, as many will not remain in the county after graduation.
Q: Previous political experience?
A: None
Lori Grubbs:
Question: What are you running for?
Answer: DeKalb County Circuit Clerk
Q: Why are you running?
A: I am running for re-election to continue to serve all citizens of DeKalb County in a professional and responsible manner as I have done the last four years. I am the only qualified candidate. For the past 30 years, I have worked in the office and have gained insight and knowledge of how the office operates. I have the leadership skills after spending 15 years as supervisor of the Civil Division.
Q: Why should people, specifically college students, vote for you?
A: I believe all individuals who enter the court should be treated with dignity and respect. I also believe all citizens of DeKalb County, including college students should have equal access to justice, that is why I opened DeKalb County’s first Self Help Legal Center. The center offers many resources for individuals representing themselves including; procedural informal, forms and instructions, e-filing assistance and other resources. Another initiative that I have implemented would benefit college students is e-notify card with a QR code. One can sign up for court date reminders via text or email. If re-elected to this position, I will continue to serve the citizens of DeKalb County including college students and ensure everyone has equal access to justice.
Q: Previous political experience?
A: DeKalb County Circuit Clerk from 2020-present
