This is from Wikipedia. I didn't know this part, but the bolded part might be what you are remembering:

Although resident and corporate relations between Chicago and neighboring suburb Evanston are generally cordial and co-operative,[33] Stone was a protagonist in perhaps the most significant altercation in recent decades. The Evanston City Council adopted the Southwest II Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, also called the Howard-Hartrey TIF, on April 27, 1992, in order to incent the development of a disused 23-acre Bell and Howell distribution center.[34] A city contractor installed a $150,000, 2.5 feet (0.76 m) high, three-block-long, continuous steel guardrail down the middle of Howard Street, from Kedzie Avenue to California Avenue, blocking vehicles from crossing between Evanston and Chicago, to protect residents from the vehicular traffic expected at a proposed shopping center on the Evanston side of Howard Street that was projected to open in 1995. A Cook County Circuit Court judge denied Evanston's request for a restraining order to halt the erection of the barrier, which became known in the media as "Berny's Wall".[2][7][35][36][37] The Chicago Tribune editorialized calling Stone "silly" and the guardrail a "senseless idea...just an insipid ploy by a useless alderman who has too much time on his hands and too much of the taxpayers' money at his disposal".[38]

On May 28, 1993, Evanston Mayor Lorraine H. Morton, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Stone, and city officials met at Chicago City Hall, and hours later, Morton announced that Evanston would drop legal action against Chicago.[39] The next day, after consultation with Evanston's corporation counsel and others, Evanston announced they would continue legal recourse in conjunction with negotiations.[40] Stone demanded that Evanston pick up the cost of the installation and removal of the guardrail. On June 1, 1993, the Evanston City Council voted to refuse to contribute funds, to continue their lawsuit, and to defer modifications to the site plan until the barrier was dismantled.[41]

Testimony began July 25, 1994. Chicago Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boyle Jr. and Planning Commissioner Valerie Jarrett testified that the guardrail had been installed at Stone's request without the benefit of traffic or planning studies. A partner of the shopping center's construction firm testified that Stone had discussed with him in 1992 the idea of siting the project on vacant land near the Lincoln Village Shopping Center, a site that was scheduled to be redistricted into the 50th Ward in 1995.[42] Evanston officials said Stone was jealous of the project going to Evanston.[43] On September 21, 1994, the judge ruled that the March 25, 1993 resolution which Stone ushered through the Chicago City Council authorized Chicago's Department of Transportation commissioner to consider a barrier, declared that the Department had no authority to install the guardrail, ordered Chicago to remove it and pay all costs including Evanston's legal fees, and dismissed Chicago's countersuit to block the shopping center.[33] Chicago's request for a stay pending appeal was denied,[43] Bell and Howell agreed to pay the estimated $35,000 to remove the barrier, and removal began on October 4, 1994. "The party isn't over until the fat man sings, and I'm the fat man", said Stone.[44] The Chicago Tribune editorialized calling the barrier "a petty, indulgent waste of money at the people's expense".[45]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Stone

You get off the Red Line at Howard at 1:00 am and then let us know if you'd like to revise this statement...

I smell a bit....

Evanston is the buffer between the city and the north shore. It the best (or worst) or both worlds.

There are plenty of "rough" spots in Evanston. Is there any street in Schaumburg you wouldn't walk down after dark?

Are there any streets in Schaumburg you can even walk down?

Evanston is the buffer between the city and the north shore. It the best (or worst) or both worlds.

There are plenty of "rough" spots in Evanston. Is there any street in Schaumburg you wouldn't walk down after dark?

Technically that is correct, but we do have black people.

For what - decorative purposes?

I think he is talking about some of the Northwestern football players.

So I was right then.

I smell a bit....