Illinois gov to keep fighting violent games

While a federal judge on Friday declared Illinois' restrictive laws on violent and sexually explicit games unconstitutional, state governor Rod Blagojevich isn't ready to let the issue drop.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Blagojevich has vowed to start a "multipronged effort" to continue his fight against the gaming industry. In addition to appealing the federal court ruling, Blagojevich said he would start grassroots efforts to put pressure on retailers who stock objectionable games.

"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 is quoted as saying.

The Violent Video Games Law and the Sexually Explicit Video Games Law, introduced last December by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora), were set to go into effect January 1, 2006. Had they stood, the laws would have limited the sale and/or rental of games with violent and sexually explicit content. Retailers caught renting or selling such games to persons 18 or under would have been fined up to $1,000 for violating the statute.

The governor said he will work with Hillary Clinton on her announced federal legislation to make sure it passes into law. In the meantime, he intends to refine the Illinois laws, predicting that his efforts will win out in the end.