When it comes to funding their primary operating budgets, the state of Illinois and city of Chicago seem stuck in a constant rut of déjà vu. Last month, state lawmakers enacted a general fund budget that, after inflation, will spend about $455 million, or 1.1% less, on public services in fiscal year 2027 than this past year. Mind you, the reason for that parsimonious outcome wasn’t a desire to rein in profligate spending. Indeed, the evidence shows most public services Illinois provides, like K-