Riley N. Oncken - Attorney
Riley is a 2004 Graduate of the Northern Illinois University College of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude. He is also an alumnus of Western Illinois University, where he double-majored in Political Science and Law Enforcement & Justice Administration, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is also an alumnus of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, WIU College Republicans, Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Theta Phi, the Public Interest Law Society, the WIU Marching Band, and several other organizations and fraternities. Riley grew up in Sugar Grove and attended West Aurora High School, graduating in 1997. Riley is the son of Jan Oncken and Lee Oncken and has two brothers, Conor and Dylan.
Prior to opening his own firm in August 2012, Mr. Oncken was a partner in the firm of Smith, Wykes, & Oncken, P.C. and had worked for its predecessors since 2004. During law school, Mr. Oncken worked as a law clerk for the firm of Gallagher & Brady. His other previous work experience includes the United States Customs Service, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington D.C., and several prestigious bartending positions.
Riley is a member of the Rotary Club of Sycamore and previously served as the Club's President for the 2014-2015 year. He has also served on the NIU College of Law Alumni Council and is a Republican Precinct Committeeman in Sycamore. Mr. Oncken was elected to the DeKalb County Board, where he served from 2008-2012. Following the 2012 election, he was re-appointed to the board, where he served DeKalb County residents until resigning in 2015 to spend time with his growing family. During his time on the Board, he served on the Economic Development, Law and Justice, Rules, Pollution Control Facility, and Jail Planning Committees. He also served on the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2010-2012. Riley has also been a volunteer attorney for Prairie State Legal Services, Administer Justice, and CASA of DeKalb County. In July 2013, Riley was appointed as conflict counsel for the 23rd Judicial Circuit where he served until July 2019. Mr. Oncken formerly attended Christ Community Church and served on its Trustee Board. He and his family now attend Harvest Chapel in Sandwich. Riley was a founding Board member of the Spartan Food Pantry in 2018 and joined the Sycamore Education Foundation Board in 2020.
Riley is married to Heather (Haupt) and they have four daughters, Mia, Quinn, Hattie and Rowan.
Practice of Law
Admissions:
State of Illinois – Admitted November 2004
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois – Admitted November 2004
Memberships:
Illinois State Bar Association – Member, 2004 - Present
DeKalb County Bar Association – Member, 2004 - Present
Kane County Bar Association – Member, 2004 - Present
Sycamore Chamber of Commerce
National Rifle Association & Illinois State Rifle Association
DeKalb County Farm Bureau
DeKalb County Republican Central Committee
Alicia K. Caplan - Attorney
Alicia is a 2007 Graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law. She attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where she majored in Political Science and minored in Philosophy, and she graduated Cum Laude. While at Southern Illinois University she played rugby and served as treasurer for the Southern Illinois University Women’s Rugby Club. She also participated in Model Illinois Government and the Political Science Ambassadors Program. Alicia grew up in Warrenville and Wheaton and attended Wheaton Warrenville South High School, graduating in 1999.
Prior to joining the Law Office of Riley N. Oncken in January of 2022, Alicia was an Assistant State’s Attorney in DeKalb and Winnebago County, Illinois. In the fourteen years that she worked as a prosecutor, she handled misdemeanor, driving under the influence, domestic violence, juvenile abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency and felony cases. She has extensive trial experience and is a staunch advocate for her clients.
Practice of Law
Admissions: State of Illinois - Admitted November 2007
Memberships: Illinois Bar Association Dekalb County Bar Association Kane County Bar Association
Heather Haacker - Office Manager
Heather has been an employee of the Office since it opened in 2012. She holds an Associate's Degree in Business Management from Kishwaukee College and has 14 years of experience in the legal field. Heather and her family are long time Sycamore residents. She and her husband, Jim, have three children, Jon, Jodi, and Nathan. In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading crocheting, and spending time with her family.
Gabby Graves - Legal Assistant
Gabby was born and raised in Sycamore. She graduated from Sycamore High School in 2012 and continued her education at Kishwaukee College where she received her Associates in Arts in 2015. From there, Gabby went on to pursue her bachelor’s degree at Western Illinois University. She graduated in 2017 having majored in Business Communication and minored in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration. Throughout her college career she worked for the Dekalb County Circuit Clerk in the Criminal and Traffic division. In her spare time she likes attending sporting events and concerts and shopping at flea markets and craft fairs.
