Gov. and Mrs. Blagojevich band with parents searching for video game control measures    

[DEC. 20, 2004]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, are exchanging ideas today with parents about his plan to make Illinois the first state in the nation to prohibit the sale or distribution of violent and sexually explicit video games to minors. Two meetings are planned. The first is at the Greater Peoria YMCA, 1900 W. Willow Knolls, at 10:30 a.m. The second will be at the Decatur Family YMCA, 220 W. McKinley Ave., at 1 p.m.

Last week, the governor announced his plans to introduce legislation during the upcoming legislative session to shield children from violent and sexually explicit video games.

In 2003, video games recorded $7 billion in sales in the United States. The National Institute of Media and the Family recently found that 87 percent of pre-teen and teenage boys play games rated "M" for "mature" by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. M-rated games often contain realistic depictions of human injury and death, mutilation of body parts, rape, sex, profanity, and drug, alcohol and tobacco consumption.

The governor and his wife are visiting central Illinois today and participating in the two town-hall-style meetings with parents to discuss his proposal.

["Governor addresses sale of violent and sexually explicit video games to minors," posted Dec. 16]

[News release from the governor's office]