Bukola Bello

CapitolFax’s Best Contract Lobbyist in 2021

 Bukola Bello has spent much of her career in a variety of government and government-related positions. She began her career as a senior analyst to the Illinois General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) where she prepared historical, statistical, and economic analyses pursuant to legislative requests for legislators of the House and Senate. Additionally, Bukola has authored ten published reports that are still used by the Legislature, organized and presented policy initiatives for the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses, and served as a Technical Advisor to the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus House Chairperson on pension, education, revenue and other legislative matters. Her legislative work also includes serving as a Commission liaison during negotiations between the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Illinois Municipal League, the Illinois Public Pension Fund Association, the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois and the Fraternal Order of Police. 

As a Director at a research and advocacy firm, she was frequently involved in implementing the firm’s legislative agenda. Her work involved advising legislators, tracking and monitoring bills, providing written and oral testimony for Senate and House committees, creating fact sheets, and successfully completing specific roll calls, i.e., Black, Latino, Downstate, Green, and Republican Caucuses. Bukola has passed and/or drafted successful legislation for the following entities: Commonwealth Edison, Univar, Illinois Hospital Association, Retired Teachers’ Association of Chicago, Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund, International Myeloma Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Cannery Casino Resorts, and the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.

As the owner of her own government relations firm, Bukola was recognized by fellow lobbyists, staff, and legislators in 2021 as the “Best Contract Lobbyist.” She has worked on legislative and media initiatives for Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Hospital Association, Fan Duel, Nicor Gas, Draft Kings, Illinois Public Health Institute, Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund, Weiss Memorial Hospital, West Suburban Medical Center, AFSCME, and many other organizations.

As a former Director at a not-for-profit, Bukola was primarily responsible for all operations and communication of a 15-member board. Her duties included responding to inquiries from members of the Illinois General Assembly, legislative staff, and media on a variety of issues, and reporting the results of those inquiries back to her board. She has analyzed legislation, drafted policy recommendations, developed fact sheets and disseminated reports to House and Senate committee members..