The CD4017 is a Cmos logic IC. Its output current depends on its supply voltage. None of your circuits have a supply voltage.Actually, a 4017 is rated at 6.8ma
Texas Instruments show typical and minimum output currents in their datasheets for all their Cmos logic ICs. With a 10V supply a CD4017 can supply typically 18.5mA into a 2V red LED or 17mA into a 3.5V blue or white LED. Where did only 6.8mA come from?
EDIT:
On one page you show a 9V battery and say it drops to 7.5V. I agree that the typical output of a CD4017 into a 3.5V blue or white LED is only 6.8mA when the supply is 7.5V.
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