I met Mike standing on a corner underneath the El tracks in the south loop. Mike asked me for a donation and I told him about $2 Portraits to which he replied “What do I have to lose? Sure.” Mike is 62 years old and originally from Alabama. He has no family and lives around the bridge at Adams…”just me and the elements and my arthritis.” He described the aches & pains in his back, hips, knees and elbows from working masonry construction. I surmised he’s a regular at this corner because during our conversation one guy walked up and said “Hi Mike” as he placed a bill in Mike’s cup and another drove up to the corner and did the same. Mike told me I brought him good luck. Admittedly, I was a bit suspicious, but nothing changed hands.
Mike said he hoped people start coming back to work soon as it’s been tough with the city so empty. He thinks it’s going to change. I wished him luck and gave him $2.
Photographed 5/13/21
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