Despite the states crippling debt, the Illinois Office of Tourism spent $115,000 of taxpayer's money to run ads touting Illinois before the movie "Lincoln" played at theaters in the United Kingdom and Germany.
The tourism office spent an additional $50,000 putting an ad for "EnjoyIllinois.com" on Danica Patrick's car at the Daytona 500 and in another race. (see photo right - click to enlarge)
Jen Hoelzle, Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, plans to discuss these expenditures Thursday when she gives her "State of the State of Tourism" address at the Governor's Conference on Travel and Tourism.
