SOLVED. Quirky novel set in Chicago [s]

[Susan]

I'm trying to remember a book I read that is set in Chicago. The main detail I remember is that one character was unemployed and he spent all day standing on a street corner with an empty gas can, pretending he'd run out of gas and asking people for money. He was working very hard to avoid working.

It seemed like there was a large family living together in a house, but I'm not sure about that. I read it some time between 1995 and 2004, but I'm not sure when it was published. I have the feeling the setting was in the '70s or '80s but I wouldn't rule out '90s.

I feel pretty sure the author was male.

Thanks for any help!

[Susan]

I think I found it - Cooler by the Lake by Larry Heinneman.