Park Group's CEO Quits Amid Fights Over Park Use For Obama Library, Lucas Museum

CHICAGO (AP) -- The leader of a Chicago group that opposes proposals to use lakefront and park land for the George Lucas museum and Obama presidential library has stepped down from her position.

Cassandra Francis was appointed head of the Friends of the Parks group last year. She said in an email Tuesday that she's leaving the organization, but didn't give a reason.

She says she plans to stay connected to the cause of protecting Chicago's public parks and open spaces.

Francis is an urban planner who also played a role in preparing the city's unsuccessful 2016 Olympics bid.

Friends of the Parks filed a lawsuit in November to stop construction of the Lucas museum on a parking lot along Lake Michigan. It's also threatened a lawsuit if park land is used for the Obama library.

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