SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Senate approved a version of Gov. Rod Blagojevich"s proposed restrictions on the sales of violent and sexually explicit video games to children, even though some senators said the idea is unconstitutional. The measure approved Thursday would require store owners to determine which games are too violent or sexually explicit for anyone under 18. Anyone selling them to a minor could be fined.
Both chambers have now approved the video game restrictions, but the Senate version removed the possibility of jail time for offenders. That means the revised bill now goes back to the House. The sponsor, Sen. Deanna Demuzio, denied the measure would interfere with free speech rights. "Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations, not all that different from the simulations used by the U.S. military in preparation for war."