Lawsuit could delay Star Wars museum construction

Chicago — A judge has allowed a lawsuit to proceed that seeks to stop Star Wars creator George Lucas from building a $400m museum along Chicago's lakefront.

The ruling Thursday means the project almost certainly will be delayed.

A nonprofit group, Friends of the Parks, contends that construction of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art would violate public-trust laws that restrict development along Lake Michigan.

The judge didn't explain his reasoning in court but is expected to issue a written ruling.

The Chicago City Council voted in October in favor of the museum.

Lucas chose Chicago over San Francisco for the museum after saying the California city was "doodling around," while Chicago officials aggressively pursued the project.