Cook County Clerk David Orr has released county lobbying activity for 2011, documents that the public enjoys total access to at "Lobbyist Online," thanks to Cook County's Lobbyist Sunshine Ordinance.

"Lobbyists contacted officials nearly 1,200 times in 2011 about important issues facing the people of Cook County," Orr said in press release. "This searchable data is a valuable resource for watchdogs and reporters who want to dig deeper to connect the role of lobbying to decision-making."

As for what the data reveals, the 199 registered lobbyists in Cook County last year earned $1.9 million. The most lobbied topics in 2011 revolved around alcohol, tobacco, property, and sales.

According to the report, 69 county officials, including every Cook County Commissioner, was contacted by lobbyists last year; nine of them were contacted at least 20 times.