That massive gambling emporium is supposed to eventually generate around $1 billion in annual revenue — with a $200 million cut for the city’s police and firefighter pension funds — under lofty projections set by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Over its first 12 months at the temporary Medinah Temple site, Bally’s turned out a modest $124.6 million in revenue; That generated $14.4 million for the city. Mayor Brandon Johnson has bet just as heavily on the temporary casino since taking office, anticipating $35 million in casino tax revenue in his first budget.
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.