On February 6, Illinois lobbyist Margaret Vaughn came and spoke to Dr. Eugenia McAvoy’s Comm 313 Persuasion class.
Vaughn was recently profiled in the Chicago Tribune’s September 1, 2013’s “Remarkable Woman” feature where she was named “the Professional Persuader”. This is quite an honor considering the fact that a woman has to be nominated by someone and meet the qualification of being a Chicago area woman who is not only inspirational, but also can capture an audience’s imagination through enthralling stories that offer insight into her life as well as the work that she does.
Looking at her life it is easy to see how Vaughn not only meets but also exceeds the criteria. Vaughn states that her love for politics began in her childhood when she would watch both election results and political conventions with her father. Knowing this, it is no wonder that she went on to get a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Millkin University and then a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois.
During her junior year at Millkin University Vaughn volunteered on the campaign of a state representative, which later lead to an internship with the same representative that next year.
About her time interning Vaughn states, “It was interesting to go from the life of a professional employee of a state representative to that of a typical college senior.” During her time as an intern Vaughn would be transported from her sorority house to the Statehouse where she fulfilled many different duties. This opportunity showed Vaughn the many different careers involved in state government and what they involved.
Vaughn later went on to do different internships with both the Illinois House Minority Leader and the Senate President.
In 1993, at the age of twenty-five Vaughn established her own lobbying and association management firm called Margaret Vaughn Consulting, which offers association management, public relations, and lobbying services. Her firm has helped with the passing of over ninety laws in the state of Illinois.
Margaret Vaughn Consulting has represented over thirty statewide associations, such as: Illinois Rural Health Association, Chicago and Downstate Roofing Contractors Association, Illinois Association of Agricultural Affairs, the Illinois Firefighters Association, and the Illinois Surgical Assistant Association, among others. During the representation of these different associations Vaughn has worked on the production of fire safe cigarettes, the need for sprinklers in dorms, and tattoo and body piercing licensure.
Vaughn has seen many accomplishments outside of the work she does with her consulting firm. She has been featured as the keynote speaker at various national conferences where she has spoke about how the legislative accomplishments that she has made in Illinois may be able to be achieved by other states.
She also serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers, the Illinois Rural Health Association, and the Illinois Surgical Assistant Association.
Catlyn Hicks
Senior News Editor
About Post Author
