In our continuing coverage of violent game laws around the United States, we have news today that Judge Matthew Kennelly ruled Friday that Illinois’ restrictions on the sale of violent and sexually explicit video games to minors are unconstitutional and barred the state from enforcing the law. “In this country, the state lacks the authority to ban protected speech on the ground that it affects the listener’s or observer’s thoughts and attitudes,” the judge wrote.
Governor Rod Blagojevich and other supporters of the measure argued that children were being harmed by exposure to games in which characters go on killing sprees or sexual escapades. “Parents should be able to expect that their kids will not have access to excessively violent and sexually explicit video games without their permission,� he said.
