Illinois, for example, ran a budget deficit of 6% from 2004 through 2018, despite having a balanced-budget amendment. In explaining the shortfall, a report from Illinois Policy blamed the state constitution’s use of the word “estimated.” A balanced budget in Illinois is one that “shall not exceed funds estimated by the General Assembly during that year.”
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.