Candidate for DeKalb County Circuit Clerk drops out of race

SYCAMORE – The race for DeKalb County Circuit Clerk is back down to two candidates after Savannah Ilenikhena announced she was withdrawing from the race Wednesday. The announcement comes two days after circuit clerk's office employee Lori Grubbs threw her hat into the ring.

“I would like to formally withdraw my candidacy for Circuit Clerk of DeKalb County and give my full support to Lori Grubbs,” Ilenikhena said in an email to the Daily Chronicle. “She is a great candidate and would be a great leader for DeKalb County. I look forward to seeing voters in the community and I hope you all will join me in supporting Lori.”

Both Grubbs and Ilenikhena would have competed for the Republican nomination for the post.

Ilenikhena was the first candidate to announce their intention to replace current Circuit Clerk Maureen Josh in August.

Rukisha Crawford (D-District 6), a member of the DeKalb County Board, became the first, and so far only, Democrat to announce a run for the post.

Josh, who has been in office since 1984, announced in July she would not be seeking reelection in 2020.

Ilenikhena currently works as the opioid diversion coordinator with DeKalb County Court Services.

Previously, she’s worked in the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office as well as Focus House and Safe Passage.

At Safe Passage, she was the director of abuse intervention services.