Illinois Lobbyist | Government Affairs | Public Relations
Your VISION is Our PRIORITY
Vision M.A.I. Consulting provides legislative strategy, lobbying, and public affairs expertise for organizations navigating policy and regulatory issues in Illinois.
Bukola M. Bello — Illinois Lobbyist & Policy Strategist
Bukola M. Bello is an award-winning Illinois contract lobbyist known for her bipartisan relationships, legislative expertise, and ability to move complex policy initiatives forward.
She has advised legislative caucuses, authored policy reports used by lawmakers, and led high-impact legislative campaigns across multiple sectors.
Vision M.A.I. Consulting is a Chicago-based Illinois lobbying firm providing government affairs, legislative strategy, and public affairs consulting services across Springfield, Chicago, and statewide.
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Vision M.A.I. Consulting is a Chicago-based Illinois lobbying firm providing government affairs, legislative strategy, and public affairs consulting services across Springfield, Chicago, and statewide. *
We help organizations influence public policy, navigate legislative processes, and advance strategic policy goals expertly.
Government Affairs for Regulated Industries
Vision M.A.I. Consulting helps organizations navigate complex legislative, regulatory, and public affairs environments across Illinois.
Energy, Utilities & Infrastructure
Policy work involving public utilities, energy modernization, clean energy, renewables, solar, natural gas, and infrastructure regulation, including the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act and the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
Gaming, Entertainment & Emerging Markets
Government relations strategy for gaming expansion, fantasy sports, entertainment, and other highly regulated industries, including work connected to the Illinois Gaming Expansion Act.
Government, Economic Development & Public Safety
Legislative advocacy supporting economic development, tax incentives, municipal operations, public safety innovation, infrastructure, and agency coordination, including the EDGE Tax Credit and local government legislative initiatives such as Drones as First Responders
Healthcare, Licensure & Access
Legislative wins advancing healthcare access, maternal health, professional licensure, patient protections, reproductive healthcare, prosthetic care access, and health equity including the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act.
Pensions, Labor & Institutional Policy
Experience supporting pension systems, education leadership, collective bargaining, retirement systems, procurement, and institutional governance, including the Emerging Manager Investment Procurement Act and the Charter School Reporting Act.
Vision M.A.I. Consulting represents clients before state, city, county, and federal policymakers.
We support organizations through:
Legislative strategy and bill drafting
Coalition building and stakeholder alignment
Roll call execution and negotiation strategy
Appropriations and funding advocacy
Public affairs and media positioning
Our work spans healthcare, education, energy, pensions, nonprofit advocacy, and municipal government.
Illinois Lobbying, Government Relations & Public Affairs
Awards & Recognition
In 2021, Bukola Bello received the Capital Fax Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Contract Lobbyist, one of the most respected honors in the government relations profession. She was the first African American woman in the award’s history to receive this recognition.
Ms. Bello has also been recognized as an Influential Woman in Government and Public Affairs Leadership and received the Illinois State Treasurer’s Women’s History Month Award for Outstanding Service in Business in 2025.
Awards include:
Illinois State Treasurer — Outstanding Service in Business (2025)
Capital Fax Golden Horseshoe Award — Best Contract Lobbyist (2021)
Capital Fax Golden Horseshoe Award — Best Contract Lobbyist Nominee (2019)
Capital Fax Golden Horseshoe Award — Best Do-Gooder Nominee (2013)
Recent media:
NBC Chicago
FOX 32
Richard Irvin Linda Holmes Karina Villa Barbara Hernandez, MPA Stephanie Kifowit State Representative Maura Hirschauer Matt Hanson celebrate the following City of Aurora initiatives becoming law: Drones As First Responders (HB 3902), IDPH Plumbing Pilot Program (HB 2621), EPA Limestone Materials (HB 3095), and Police Training Out-of-State Waivers (SB 1754)
Meet and greet at the Illinois Statehouse with Planned Parenthood Illinois and City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
It Takes A Village Family of Schools tour with: Rep. Sonya Harper, CEO Nakisha Hobbs, CGO Anita Andrews-Hutchinson, House Assistant Majority Leader Camille Lilly, Rep. Maura Hirschauer, Rep. Mary Beth Canty, Rep. Harry Benton, ITAV staff and House Democratic Education Policy staff.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois Board members and President Jennifer Welch meet with Governor JB Pritzker.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois Board members and President Jennifer Welch meet with Senate President Don Harmon.
Planned Parenthood of IL Board Members and President meet with House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch.
Planned Parenthood of IL Board Members and President meet with House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch.
CPAA Legislator Appreciation Awards Dinner -- House Assistant Majority Leader Marcus Evans, Former State Senator Christina Pacion-Zayas, CPAA President Troy LaRaviere, CPAA Consultant Bukola Bello, State Senator Celina Villanueva, and Senate Pro Tempore/Assistant Majority Leader Bill Cunningham. Not pictured Representative LaShawn Ford
Illinois Society of Orthotists and Prosthetists President James Kaiser, CP/L
Bukola Bello & Attorney General Kwame Raoul
Heartland Alliance - The Fully Free Campaign Harry Pena, Fully Free Campaign Fellow, Senator Adriane Johnson, Marlon Chamberlain, Fully Free Campaign Manager, Quianya Enge
Fighting Forward Gala for Planned Parenthood Illinois, US Senator Dick Durbin, Lt. Gov Juliana Stratton, Planned Parenthood of Illinois VP of Public Policy Brigid Leahy
Heartland Alliance - The Fully Free Campaign Fully Free Campaign Manager, Quianya Enge
Heartland Alliance - The Fully Free Campaign Celebrating the passage of The Families Right to Estate Equity (FREE) Act HB 1268, now 103-0280. Feat Senate President Don Harmon (grey suit) and Senator Adriane Johnson (blue blazer).
Heartland Alliance - The Fully Free Campaign Celebrating the passage of The Families Right to Estate Equity (FREE) Act HB 1268, now 103-0280.
Legislative Results Matter
Vision M.A.I. Consulting has helped advance legislation and policy outcomes across regulated industries, public institutions, healthcare systems, municipal government, and economic development.
Energy & Utilities
Experience supporting major energy and infrastructure policy, including the Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act and the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
Gaming & Emerging Markets
Government relations strategy connected to gaming expansion, fantasy sports, entertainment, and regulated market development, including the Illinois Gaming Expansion Act.
Economic Development & Business Incentives
Policy work involving tax incentives, business growth, and regulatory navigation, including the EDGE Tax Credit.
Municipal Government & Public Safety
Supported local government legislative initiatives including Drones as First Responders, infrastructure updates, public safety modernization, and agency coordination.
Pensions, Labor & Institutional Policy
Policy experience involving pension systems, education leadership, procurement, collective bargaining, and institutional governance, including the Emerging Manager Investment Procurement Act and the Charter School Reporting Act.
Healthcare, Licensure & Access
Legislative work advancing healthcare access, maternal health, reproductive healthcare, professional licensure, prosthetic care access, and health equity.
“With the legislation I sign today, the lifesaving and life-giving work midwives perform will be legally recognized here in Illinois. It’s a victory decades in the making and one that recognizes the full worth and value of midwives in reproductive care,” Pritzker said. “Most importantly, it ensures safe home births for every mother who chooses to deliver out-of-hospital – another step forward advancing health equity in communities across our state.”
What Clients Are Saying
“Bukola Bello seems to be everywhere all the time and takes the same energy and clear communication into every meeting. Whether of the most minute detail or the grandest of political strategy, she’s right there with you answering questions and moving legislation.”
“Her energy is infectious, her commitment and dedication to her clients is unwavering. Bukola truly enjoys what she does, and her work ethic is unmatched. ”
“Bukola Bello, hands down…
if it was important this year she was working it.”
Media & Insights
EFFINGHAM DAILY NEWS 〰️ Midwifery likely to become a licensed profession in Illinois, but critics say lack of Medicaid coverage is a problem
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EFFINGHAM DAILY NEWS 〰️ Midwifery likely to become a licensed profession in Illinois, but critics say lack of Medicaid coverage is a problem 〰️
AURORA BEACON NEWS 〰️ Aurora looks at changes in its lobbying services in Springfield
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AURORA BEACON NEWS 〰️ Aurora looks at changes in its lobbying services in Springfield 〰️
AURORA BEACON NEWS 〰️ Aurora looks at new lobbyist to monitor police reform legislation
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AURORA BEACON NEWS 〰️ Aurora looks at new lobbyist to monitor police reform legislation 〰️
CHICAGO TRIBUNE 〰️ Aurora hires second lobbyist
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CHICAGO TRIBUNE 〰️ Aurora hires second lobbyist 〰️
Illinois Council of Certified Professional Midwives, Bukola Bello, and the House Chief Sponsor Assistant Majority Leader Robyn Gabel.
Bukola Bello & Governor J.B. Pritzker
Bukola Bello
Bukola and Client, Barbara Martin, CEO of West Suburban Medical Center
Bukola and Senate Chief Sponsor Cristina Castro and House Chief Sponsor Assistant Majority Leader Robyn Gabel.
Representative Leadership
Vision M.A.I. Consulting is a woman- and minority-owned firm delivering high-level legislative strategy and advocacy.
Bukola Bello has:
Advised caucus leadership (Black, Latino, Women’s, Progressive)
Secured funding and appropriations
Led complex negotiations across agencies and stakeholders
Executed roll call strategies across chambers
