We went about answering this question by asking people directly, and we got some outside sources

to be sure.

But the fact is there's just not a lot of definitive research about panhandler and street

performer incomes.

We couldn't find much.

So we split up the work.

Adriana, you found a panhandler.

What did you find out?

So I went to the intersection of Western and Ogden Avenue. I passed by that

area pretty much every day. And that area is kind of like a no man's land. It has a huge empty

lot nearby. There are hardly any pedestrians. And it's not near a lot of houses. So it's not in a

particular neighborhood. Anyway, I see this one guy there are a lot, walking between cars, asking for change usually.

So for this story, I talked to him, and he told me his name is Christian Perez.

He says he's been in Chicago for five years, and ever since he came, he began using drugs

and spent much of his time stealing

in stores. He says he's been in jail too many times for stealing things he considers garbage.

He says it wasn't worth taking things that cost 40, 30 bucks, and went up in county jail as a

result. So he figured panhandling was better for him.

So what did he say? What does he actually make per day?

He said about $60.

How much?

About $60.

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