I have my own set of rules when I enter the dangerous, subterranean streets of downtown Chicago. I’m an explorer in this dark world, walking a tightrope. I’ve known many people that have died here. It’s a dark world ruled by royalty, Dope is King, Crack is Queen. Lies and Deception are what’s practiced along these streets. Death and destruction wait for all who stay. “Nobody trusts anyone else down here, nobody is truly your friend, all they want from you is what you got or what they think you got” a longtime resident once told me.
So, I abide by-
Rule #1- Believe half of what you see and a quarter of what you hear.
Rule #2- Walk with your head on a swivel.
Rule #3- Turn your awareness level to maximum strength.
Rule #4- Don’t mention anything, in any way, about Drug Dealers.
Rule #5- Accept the many deaths you’ve seen as a consequence of this lifestyle. Death is always so close to everyone here.
Black Blue, smokes a cigarette along Lower Wacker Drive. I thumbed a ride up here from Texas. I was in jail there".
A man named Chris smokes a snipe(found cigarette butt) in an enclosed are along Lower Wacker Drive, underground downtown.
A woman named Stacie tries to sleep at her encampment along Lower Wacker Drive, underground downtown, Chicago.
A man waits patiently for someone to exit their tent at an encampment along Lower Wacker Drive near Randolph street, underground, downtown, Chicago.
A man pushes a cart with nearly everything he owns, along Lower Wacker Drive. He's going up a ramp at Randolph street to panhandle. When he ascends the ramp he'll be in the regular part of the downtown area. Homeless people call it going "Up Top".
A woman named Hope, says a prayer along Lower Wacker Drive at her encampment.
A homeless man named Greg sits in front of his shelter as a delivery truck comes very close to him. Lower Wacker Drive, underground, Chicago.
Greg and Stacie, at their encampment along Lower Wacker Drive. They stayed out in below zero weather under many, many blankets to keep warm
A man shows me his saved, used dope bags(fentanyl mixture). He will scrape them out with a razor to get one more hit of dope.
Tina takes a break from walking along Lower Lake street.Her legs were swollen and her back hurt.
Willy, a long time resident of Chicago's underground street culture, told me about how he stays warm and alive during a recent polar vortex. "I know where there's some warm exhaust spots under here" he said
Tents along Lower Wacker and Lower Michigan, a small encampment, home to 4 people.
A man staying along an encampment next to Lower Wacker Drive said "I don't know how that happened? I woke up. Did somebody cut me up?"
A man named Jeff, told me that he ate a few donuts 24 hours ago but hasn't eaten since then. I carry $5.00 McDonald gift cards and gave him one.
