Illinois Governor attempts to sway Schwarzenegger

As California's governor Arnold Schwarzenegger considers the controversial violent videogames bill AB1179, Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich urges him to sign.

Blagojevich, who signed a similar bill himself last month, wrote a letter to the former film and videogame star, urging him not to veto the bill. âOur society already restricts childrenâs access to things like tobacco, alcohol and pornography because we know they pose a serious risk to child health and development,â wrote Blagojevich.

In what is rapidly beginning to echo the dramatic statements made in America's long standing 'war on drugs', Blagojevich pleaded for the protection of children's safety and wellbeing, adding "we should do the same for what is one of the fastest-growing threats to children in this modern age: violent and sexually explicit video games.â

The bill signed by the Illinois governor, which introduces fines of up to USD 1,000 for the sale or rental of violent and/or sexually explicit videogames to persons under 18 years of age, is being contested by trade body The Entertainment Software Association.

ESA president Doug Lowenstein, who has disarmed similar bills in previous years on the grounds of constitutional infringement issues, stated "This law will have a chilling effect on free speech. It will limit First Amendment rights not only for Illinois' residents, but for game developers and publishers, and for retailers who won't know what games can and cannot be sold or rented under this vague new statute."

Both the ESA and the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association have urged governor Schwarzenegger to veto the bill, although so far no confirmation on his decision, which must be made by 9th October, has been announced.