GOOD WORK
I always knew that The Outlet under Michael Phelon’s leadership would be a success, and this shows that “the proof is in the pudding” (“Early intervention, May 14). Congratulations to the graduates and their mentors.
Kathryn Harris
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
DON’T NEED LAND
I can think of 1,000 different public buildings that could have solar panels installed on their roofs before they need to use any new land.
Will Garecht
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes.com
BETTER THAN DATA CENTERS
I’d rather see 1,000 solar farms than a single data center.
Rich McCarty
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Rooftop solar panels would not put money in the pockets of these developers and the landowners who sell to them.This isn’t about “for the good of the community,” it’s about money.
Julie Helm
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
LITTLE IMPACT
Solar takes up about 0.15% of farm land. From some of these comments, one would think they blanket the entirety of arable land in the U.S.
Isaac Moore
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
A WORTHY GOAL
I think rooftop solar is also a great idea. However, half our population is against renewable energy (at least, according to their voting record), so convincing the various public entities with those 1,000 rooftops to put solar installations into their budgets is going to be a tough sell.
It’s easy to convince a farmer who already has land available to install solar panels on it, since it provides guaranteed income at an even better rate than what the government is paying to keep some land idle. It is hard to get local units of government on board to stretch already-thin budgets, especially if they are already deferring other mechanical maintenance.
I’m not saying it isn’t possible; it’s just going to take many years of political organizing to get people convinced of the need and that the revenue should be raised by reversing “supply side” tax policies.
Denise Solon
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
USE THE ROADS
There are a lot of fairly large chunks of land where on and off ramps connect to the interstate highways. The land is owned by the state already and could hold solar and/or wind power. Every time I’m on the highways I think of these wasted parcels of land that could be so useful to the state and its residents.
Tammy Robuck
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
This article appears in June 4-10, 2026.
