Blagojevich To Appeal Illinois Violent Game Bill Ruling

Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has vowed to appeal a permanent injunction halting the implementation of the new Illinois state law that would have restricted video game sales to minors. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) successfully argued that the bill was unconstitutionally vague, while also challenging the research used to support the laws. However, Blagojevich is undeterred, with the Illinois state governor publically commenting: "This battle is not over,” and that "Parents should be able to expect that their kids will not have access to excessively violent and sexually explicit video games without their permission." Blagojevich first proposed the ban late last year after hearing about obscure sniping game JFK Reloaded. The bill would have barred stores from selling or renting violent or sexually explicit titles to minors, while also requiring stores to display signs explaining exciting ESRB age ratings. Selling a restricted game to a minor would have resulted in a $1,000 fine for stores. Blagojevich now plans to launch a “multipronged effort” to fight the ban based on grassroots support from parents and other campaigners and has threatened to “stigmatize” merchants who fail to police themselves. “This crusade against violent video games is something a lot of moms and dads are going to want to participate in, and express their views on the appropriateness of merchants who would peddle pornographic and violent garbage to their kids," Blagojevich further commented.