In fiscal year 2023, the city’s total contribution to police and fire pensions totaled roughly $25.5 million, more than twice the amount of a number of neighboring communities, according to benchmarking data drawn up by the city's financial analyst. Des Plaines was the next highest on the chart at $16.3 million and Oak Park contributed just over $14 million to both funds in 2023.
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.