Jury To Deliberate: How Much Do Chicago Panhandlers Make?
CHICAGO (AP) -- How much would a panhandler make a day begging on a busy Chicago square?
That's one question federal jurors at a civil trial pitting two panhandlers against the Cook County Sheriff's Office will deliberate on following closings Thursday.
Kim Pindak and Sam Phillips contend deputies improperly barred them from panhandling at Daley Plaza.
Jurors must decide multiple issues. But the judge has already ruled deputies violated the men's free-speech rights to beg at least once. So no matter what, jurors will have to consider how much a day of begging is worth.
On the witness stand, Pindak told jurors he's occasionally handed a $20 bill. But the 63-year-old said he typically makes just several dollars a day. He added, "It's not a lot for most people, but it is for me."
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