In blow to Obama Presidential Center backers, judge allows lawsuit challenging Chicago's Jackson Park location to proceed
CHICAGO - In a setback to plans to build the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago's South Side lakefront, a federal judge ruled Tuesday that a lawsuit challenging its location can proceed.
U.S. Judge John Robert Blakey said in a written ruling that the environmental group Protect Our Parks has enough legal ground to bring some of its objections before him. Blakey did toss out parts of the lawsuit filed against the city of Chicago and the Park District.
The ruling to allow the suit to proceed is significant because it could delay construction for months, and potentially raise the question of whether the $500 million sprawling presidential campus can be built at all on lakefront property in Jackson Park.
A major point of contention has been whether Chicago has legal standing to build the Obama center on public park property to begin with.
Herbert Caplan, founder of Protect Our Parks, hailed the ruling "as a victory because it keeps our case alive."
"We are not opposing construction of the Obama
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days