Thank you for the Dec. 27 Page 1 story on the excessive overtime costs paid to Illinois Department of Human Services employees as revealed by a report that covered fiscal years 2021 through 2023 (“Excessive overtime at IDHS detailed”). It seems to me, however, that citizens’ primary concern should not be that those employees are so overworked that they may not be properly serving their clients, but instead that they may be defrauding the taxpayers. An employee who works 35 hours per week, 50 weeks per year, puts in 1,750 hours per year. How plausible then is it — even taking into account special rules for weekend or holiday time — that a conscientious IDHS employee could put in an additional 3,300 hours of overtime, for a total of more than 5,000 hours per year?  That would be an average of more than 100 hours per week. This sounds to me, at least, to be a case that requires further inquiry by the inspector general, not praise or sympathy for hardworking employees. — David Applegate, Huntley Tap into solar power Thank you for the article “Chicago buildings to run on 100% renewable energy in 2025” (Dec. 29). The article speaks of how the city has changed the way it sources electricity for the 411 buildings it owns. The change will result in pollution reduction and job creation benefits. It is encouraging to see city officials acting on climate. In a similar way, we as citizens of Illinois have an opportunity to offset our household electrical use with renewable energy use by signing up for Community Solar. It allows consumers to save money on their electric bills with energy produced by large, off-site solar farms. It’s a good way to support renewable energy growth if you cannot put panels on your roof. The electric utilities handle the credits, backfill electricity on cloudy days and still serve your lines for a seamless experience. Find out more about community solar options at the Citizens Utility Board website to make our homes as green as the city of Chicago’s buildings will soon be. — Andrew Panelli, Homer Glen Heroes in the waiting The article “‘I’m afraid this time’: Deportation fears spur church to end Spanish services” (Jan. 2) was heartbreaking. Pastor and activist Emma Lozano stated that “our worship service is going to be virtual now because we are not going to be set up so that they can come into our church and separate the children from their families.” That this is where we are at now as a country is deeply unsettling and sad. I remember the first time Donald Trump was president, many people such as lawyers and law students went to airports and worked tirelessly of their own volition to aid those who were in danger of being denied entry into the U.S.; they were advocates and a genuine voice for those in true need. They were among the heroes during Trump’s first presidency. I call upon our country and those in leadership roles to follow this example and be a voice in this coming presidency for what is coming, to prepare and be ready to speak for those in such need. We have this heroism inside ourselves. We can each contribute to this ongoing and necessary solidarity. — Mandy May, Skokie Big lie about Biden It’s always interesting reading Clarence Page’s columns, especially his column “Behind the ‘Lie of the Year’ about Haitian immigrants are some bitter truths” (Dec. 31). I realize that everyone leans one way or the other, including opinion writers, but being completely out of touch is fascinating to me. According to recent revelations, many in President Joe Biden’s administration have admitted that during the last four years, the president of the most powerful nation in the world was not always “there.” Other people, who were unelected, handled his duties or just kept him protected from the public. These duties could have included being commander in chief. As bad as that was, it was hidden by members of the political media and politicians close to him. I guess I have a different opinion about the “Lie of the Year” and look forward to hearing more about what actually went on in the White House the last four years. There might be some very interesting reads coming out soon. — Joe Juszak, Sugar Grove Trump in Puerto Rico With Puerto Rico’s power grid having failed, maybe Donald Trump can go there and throw papers towels at the residents again, pretending it is a solution. — Scott Burgh, Chicago Suffering of Israelis Apparently, The Associated Press writers of “Mideast turmoil lingers in new year” (Jan. 1) do not consider Israel to be part of the Middle East. Syria, Gaza and Lebanon are mentioned in the article, but there is nary a mention of Israel’s casualties, except for a cursory sentence in the final paragraphs about the “spark” of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Why is Israel’s suffering, on Oct. 7 and since then, not acknowledged more? Israel’s population is traumatized and suffering widespread loss and hardship in all aspects of life. — Rachelle Gold, Chicago Improve cellphone lot While Illinois House Bill 5408, a new law that does not allow drivers to camp out on the shoulder while waiting for O’Hare International Airport arrivals, is a good idea, the cellphone lot at O’Hare needs egress improvements for getting out of the lot. When the lot is crowded, all vehicles snake into one lane to get to the stoplight. On a recent evening, the wait was 15 to 20 minutes just to get to the stoplight. Keeping drivers off the shoulder is a needed move toward improved safety; however, making the cellphone lot more convenient to use would also be welcome. — Ron Styne, Buffalo Grove Ruining a holiday classic Our family, like millions of others, I assume, look forward every year to happily reveling in Jean Shepherd’s  “A Christmas Story,” relishing favorite lines and scenes. Then along comes the Grinch. Quentin Schultze’s Dec. 23 op-ed turns the fun into a Shepherd sex-obsessed parable (“‘A Christmas Story’ and its leg lamp illuminate Jean Shepherd’s cynicism”). The editor might have waited until after the Christmas season before publishing Schultze’s diatribe and throwing a soggy blanket over the goofiness. I wonder what Freudian message Shepherd was presenting at the Chinese restaurant dinner. — Gordon France, Indian Head Park   Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].