Judge Tells City Lawyers To Move Faster On Lucas Museum Case

CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal judge says Chicago attorneys should move faster to give documents to their courtroom adversaries who are seeking to stop construction of "Star Wars" creator George Lucas' lakefront museum.

Judge John Darrah said at a Wednesday status hearing that he's surprised by how slowly the city has moved because its attorneys have been raising concerns that Lucas could move his $400 million museum to another city if litigation drags out.

City attorneys say they need time to process more than 18,000 documents.

The city wants the museum built along Lake Michigan near Soldier Field. But a nonprofit group, Friends of the Parks, says that would violate public-interest laws.

Among the pending issues is whether the judge will let construction to start while the lawsuit continues.

The next status hearing is April 12.

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