Tag Archives: chicago sun times

The Mirage: A fake tavern that exposed real corruption (ten bucks at a time)

In 1977, the Chicago Sun-Times bought and ran a bar.  For real.  Only for a few months, but it was enough to create one of the all-time great stories– and great achievements– in Chicago journalism.

Building inspector picks up his $15 bribe at the Mirage Tavern

Building inspector Burt Herrera picks up his $15 bribe at the Mirage Tavern (Photo by Jim Frost for the Chicago Sun-Times)

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