Observations and comments about state government by State Representative Robert W. Pritchard.
I was extremely troubled this past week to learn that some computer geeks had created a violent web site that glorified the shootings at Northern Illinois University and other schools. Participants that entered the web site were “rewarded” by choosing a school at which they could shoot students, teachers and staff.
Needless to say, it is horrifying to think that this web site would encourage violence and target schools. I quickly introduced HR361 to alert parents to monitor their children’s web site usage and called upon the creators of the computer game to close the web site. Similar efforts were occurring in other states. As a result to this public outcry, the game creators responded by closing their site.
While nothing can be done in Illinois to halt the sale or promotion of these types of violent programs and games, public pressure is still useful. I would like to thank Holly Peifer, Case Coordinator at the Children’s Advocacy Center of DeKalb County (CAC), for bringing this issue to my attention and the Center’s work to protect children.
This past weekend, I spoke at the CAC Champions4Children walk fundraiser in Sycamore. You can still support their efforts by going to their website: www.realsolutionstoday.org.
Since the development of the CAC in DeKalb County in December 2002, 745 children have received services, including 612 forensic interviews. The CAC has assisted investigators and prosecutors on cases of which 127 child offenders have been pled guilty or were convicted and another 25 offenders are still pending prosecution.
District Office 815-748-3494 or E-Mail to bob@pritchardstaterep.com
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This video game is most troubling because we have weak background checks for gun owners in Illinois. The mental health requirements are the same for the proposed conceal carry permit holders. If you haven’t been in a mental facility for the last 5 years and haven’t been adjudicated mentally defective you can be qualified to purchase weapons and apply for a conceal carry permit. The NIU Cole Hall killer legally bought his weapons. When will our politicians stand up to the gun lobby and pass common sense gun laws? How many more school massacres and assasinations will it take? The Brady Campaign has common sense suggestions to make our community safer. When will public safety be as important as indiviual “gun rights.”