Over 2008 and 2009, the State of Illinois spent more than $2.85 million on medical, scientific, and laboratory supplies. Which departments spent the most? Find out here.

More than $4.7 million was spent on advertising in 2008 and 2009, in addition to the more than $6 million spent on professional advertising and media services.

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson Using our transparency website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that between 2008 and our FOIA request in 2009, state agencies spent $47,261.77 at Kmart and $27,135.15 at Wal-Mart. In 2008, the Department of Corrections spent the most with $3,165 at Kmart and $1,625 at Wal-Mart. In 2009, the Department of Children and Family Services...