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* Of course he’s for it. We have a super rich man wanting to plop a gargantuan homage to himself on the Chicago lakefront instead of building it where it could do some actual good for a community. I mean, what’s not to like?…
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he hopes the City of Chicago wins in a lawsuit over the placement of the George Lucas museum. Lucas chose Chicago in 2014 over sites in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The City has been in a legal battle with the group Friends of the Parks over whether the museum should go on the lakefront. Rauner says it’s not often people like George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson say they’ll give a 700-million dollar gift.
“I hope the Lucas family stays persistent and Mellody stays the course. I believe they’ll win in court eventually. I’m sorry the court process takes a while, but I think they should win because I think it’s the right thing for the people of Chicago and the people of Illinois.”
Friends of the Parks wants to keep the lakefront open, but the city wants the Lucas museum to replace a parking lot by Soldier Field.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:35 am
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Fine. Put it on the lakefront in Winnetka.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:37 am
=Rauner says it’s not often people like George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson say they’ll give a 700-million dollar gift.=
Define “gift.”
Comment by MSIX Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:40 am
The only people adversely affected would be Bears tailgaters.
Friends of the parks don’t have to be friends with a parking lot.
Chicago relies on tourism and younger people will want to see this museum. Our politicians should listen to their kids and grandkids and don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
One more example of the hostility to economic development even when it is mostly free
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:41 am
===“I hope the Lucas family stays persistent and Mellody stays the course. I believe they’ll win in court eventually. … “===
And there it is!
The “I’m rich, I know people, ‘Mellody’, who I’m on that first name friendship…”
Governor, your humble-brags are just too much.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:41 am
Is that an endorsement of Emanuel’s billion-plus bond proposal to build on the Lakeside Center site? That will require state approval.
San Francisco blew off Lucas when he tried to grab the choicest real estate at The Presidio. Now he’s back talking to San Francisco.
That his hometown. It’s possible Lucas was trying to play San Francisco by flirting with Chicago all along.
It just blew up in his face because many Chicagoans, like San Franciscans, don’t want to dedicate prime real estate to some Star Wars tchotke mausoleum.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:44 am
It’s over. It’s going to San Francisco. Illinois and Chicago are far to mediocre for a new cultural attraction.
Comment by Tone Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:44 am
This is from the gentleman who has closed the state museum? Oh the irony.
Comment by arteeeeeeest Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:45 am
“When you are really, really rich, you should get what you want. Mel & Georgie know this fact as well as anyone.”
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:46 am
==a 700-million dollar gift==
Gift? Or ==700-million dollar shrine==?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:46 am
A bit simplistic in making a point. It’s quite a bit more involved than this portrayal. I, for just me, myself, think this would be a very good thing for the city and the museum campus. It’s an enhancement. It’s not replacing “open land”. No one picnics where this is proposed to go. SF, which is far more squeezed for property than we are is taking a second look. That might be strategic, or not. But, it would be a shame to lose an investment of this size for something much of the public would love. It signals others too as to what the stewardship record is in a city. To date, our city has been very good stewards with museums and attractions (Buckingham Fountain, etc.) This is workable.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:46 am
When did I refuse to acknowledge revenue is necessary Willy?
You won’t find it with your “search key”
Revenue with reform has been on the table for along time but your willful ignorance and defense of the status quo doesn’t allow you to see it
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:46 am
===Revenue with reform===
No. Revenue is required, reform is a want, not a need, or required.
Please stop.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:47 am
Lucky, I think you were unlucky finding the right thread with this one. ^^^^^^
Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:48 am
Love it when a couple of 1%’ers pat each other on the back.
Comment by Stones Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:48 am
OW - Definite humble brag with name dropping Mellody! (am I humble bragging now dropping your name?)
Also like how he is talking about a legal case going through the judicial process and he proclaims Lucas should win, not because of any legal reason or argument, but because “its the right thing for the people of Chicago and the people of Illinois.”
This guy is all gut, and no factual basis.
Comment by What the What Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:49 am
But, alas, Willy will find you to argue, anytime, anywhere! lol /s
Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:49 am
===defense of the status quo doesn’t allow you to see it.===
Read this post, again.
This applies to you.
https://capitolfax.com/2016/05/02/naive-cynicism-and-illinois/
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:50 am
No problem with the museum and the C3PO flashlight trinket sales.
Just not in that spot.
Or, I agree with 47th ward….put it on the lake in Winnetka.
Comment by Del Clinkton Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:50 am
I was reading something today quoting Fr. Pfleger wondering why the elitist snobs who comprise Friends of the Parks would be so cruel to poor children by denying them the wonderful education this museum would offer.
I almost gagged on my Cheerios. Do people really think this museum will be open to the public free of charge? Do they think getting to see a life-sized R2D2 or a model of the Millenium Falcon is worth $20 per head plus parking?
We’ve got several world class museums in Chicago. From everything I’ve read, the Lucas museum is a celebration of big screen schlock.
Pass.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:52 am
That is true Willy is like the green eggs and ham guy. He will follow me anywhere but he will have to eat his reform sooner or later
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:53 am
No reform needed says OW. Who is the cynical one?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:56 am
You are requiring reforms… for a give that isn’t a give.
Revenue will never be a give, that’s the point. Revenue can’t be a give if it’s required. You know that, you just pretend to be this talking point cherub.
Making it about me isn’t any part of the point.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 10:58 am
Pet Peeve Dept. - Now the Governor is apologizing to Mellody that he is “sorry that the court process takes a while”? I was in with a group last week and the Governor must have said “I’m sorry” to our group 5-6 times in a 15 minute chat. If only he had some power to make things better….Stop the disingenuous apologies and start governing. rant/
Comment by Columbo Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:04 am
The city has framed this poorly. They should have framed it as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to build a new park.
Comment by Just Me Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:14 am
Build it in Springfield, we’re in living fantasy land already.
Comment by Beenthereseenthat Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:17 am
Maybe Rauner should offer Lucas the Thompson Center, as it currently resembles a death star, at a good price. This would be cheaper than building a new monstrosity.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:27 am
Mr. Lucas should take his toy collection to California where they can properly appreciate his “storytelling” art, e.g. “How much did it gross on opening weekend?”
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:27 am
This ain’t about the museum. This is about getting the ‘outlier’ needed to start carving up the lakefront. The wealthy and the politicians want the museum built because it will give them the opening they need to start to sell off the lakefront to developers. That means more campaign contributions for the politicians and better views of the lake for the wealthy.
Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:30 am
I am not taking sides on that museum, but normally cities run roughshod over building and zoning opposition. If they want something that some law does not allow, the city council simply changes the law. I don’t like that but that is the way cities and counties operate in Illinois. My question is, what law prevents this building from being built where the city wants it built? If it is on park district land, isn’t it up to the park district? If the park district approved it, then what standing does “Friends of the Parks” have?
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:30 am
With luck that parking lot will be restored to actual park instead of the massive fungus they propose to build there. As things currently exist, at least you can see the lake as you drive by.
Comment by JackD Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:31 am
A parking lot can be turned into park land overnight. Remember Meigs? A giant architectural eyesore is with us forever. Remember Soldier Field, The Thompson Center, etc.?
Comment by weltschmerz Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:34 am
–Illinois and Chicago are far to mediocre for a new cultural attraction.–
Chicago is not nearly sophisticated enough for an attic full of Jabba the Hutt storyboards and Norman Rockwell prints.
I guess we’ll stick the hick stuff, like the Art Institute, CSO, Lyric Opera, Joffrey Ballet….
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:52 am
@ DuPage
The way I understand the Museum would be PRIVATE .. no public ownership. It is not a gift.
Comment by gg Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 11:57 am
====I’m sorry the court process takes a while===
except when i am looking to bury someone with legal fees…
Comment by frisbee Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 12:01 pm
Mr Miller you seem angry and afraid
Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering, suffering leads to lucas bashing….
its not like Chicago has financial problems and could use some extra rev. why that empty spot brings in 10s of lost pennies every year….
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 12:20 pm
“Illinois and Chicago are far to [sic] mediocre”
LOL!
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Not a lot of discussion about this part of the equation… The Lucas’ “gift” will only cover a small portion of the total costs of this thing. The remainder, of course, will come from tax revenues. FUTURE tax revenues. Diverting funds from Chicago’s entertainment tax, plus a lot more. Chicago is broke, yet the mayor wants to give his new friend a lot of tax revenue to build this thing? Now, who will actually be keeping those admission charges? Who will actually be pocketing the money from the parking? Who will actually be pocketing the money paid to buy those plastic light sabers, and those scale models of the Millenium Falcon? This has not been discussed. George sold the entire franchise to Disney. Yet, I have a sneaking suspicion that this is one of the very ways in which he can continue to generate income, based on that deal. I love the franchise (I have from the opening night of Episode IV: A New Hope, and I was actually back in the theater the very next night, to try to figure out how if it was as good as I had imagined). But, I am also not a fan of mixing taxpayer dollars with private entities, to this extent. I oppose this for the same reason that I oppose the new DePaul stadium, to be built very nearby… DePaul is a PRIVATE university. I love them dearly — but let them pay to build their own stadium.
Comment by Justin Observer Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 1:41 pm
@gg 11:57 ==The way I understand the Museum would be private..no public ownership. It is not a gift.==
Not saying it is a good idea, but is there some law or regulation being broken? How are the federal courts involved? Are “Friends of the Parks” alleging someone was bribed or something like that? Looking back, it was a clear violation of federal law to close Meigs field without first getting permission from the federal government. If I remember correctly, “Friends of the Parks” were all favor of that action.
If it is a “private” museum, would it pay taxes?
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 1:50 pm
“Not saying it is a good idea, but is there some law or regulation being broken?”
Not certain how that became the issue. Yes, laws would have been broken with the original proposal. As mentioned above, laws can be changed. And, yes, laws were broken when Daley bulldozed Meigs, and laws were broken when Rahm hosted George Lucas’ lakeside wedding (really, check it out). Laws can always be changed. However, I am opposed to this thing for the same reason I am opposed to any local government using my tax dollars to build something for a private entity, whether it is to give the NFL a new stadium gratis, or DePaul a new stadium for free, or for George Lucas to find a way to reap millions from selling a few more Star Wars souvenirs. The city of Chicago cannot afford to pay George Lucas untold millions in revenue, while it merely receives a tiny fraction, which will all go right back to paying down the large debt that the city must borrow, just to pay for this thing. Our schools are severely underfunded, and being privatized, and becoming every bit as segregated as they were back in 1954 (once those “undesirables” are expelled from the Charter Schools). Our infrastructure is crumbling. Our city has already sold its largest revenue streams off to private entities. We cannot afford this, in good conscience.
Comment by Justin Observer Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 2:08 pm
“our schools are severely underfunded, and being privatized, and becoming every bit as segregated as they were back in 1954″
Except Chicago is getting less segregated.
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/the-avenue/posts/2015/12/08-census-black-white-segregation-frey
Comment by Tone Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 2:15 pm
“our schools are severely underfunded, and being privatized, and becoming every bit as segregated as they were back in 1954″ (emphasis added)
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/The-312/September-2012/Chicagoland-Schools-For-Blacks-the-Most-Segregated-in-the-Country/
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 3:17 pm
It’s over. (We hope.)It’s going to San Francisco.
Illinois and Chicago are far too sophisticated
for an unsightly shrine to Lucas on our beautiful lakefront.
Comment by Enviro Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Yup, it’s over. Chicago and Illinois will continue the march to cultural and economic irrelevant.
Comment by Tone Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 4:47 pm
“It ain’t over until it’s over. Yogi Berra
Comment by mokenavince Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 5:26 pm
I think the Lucas Museum would be a great addition to the City and deserves to be located in a prominent spot. However, I don’t think Lucas ever fully articulated the vision and plans in a way that overcame the view that this was a Star Wars monument to himself. It would have helped if he had clarified the governance structure.
Comment by Chicago Guy Tuesday, May 17, 16 @ 5:32 pm
Please go read the court opinion, especially DuPage. It answers a lot of the questions here. Yes, the Friends of the Park has standing. EVERY TAXPAYER has standing. The fundamental flaw and distinguishing feature is that the deal gives control of the park to a private party when by law it must remain public. It is obviously illegal and any aggrieved citizen could easily derail this rotten deal by a quick trip over to the courthouse.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 18, 16 @ 1:37 pm