Illinois lawmaker plans to ban a game as carjackings increase in Chicago

An Illinois lawmaker has a new response to the recent increase in carjackings around the Chicago area — banning a popular video game.

There has been 135% increase in carjackings in Chicago.

State Rep. Marcus Evans said during a press conference on Monday morning in south suburban Olympia Fields that video games are playing a role in the carjacking surge throughout the area.

“Grand Theft Auto,” which had its first installment released back in 1997, is the main issue, he said.

Evans said he plans to introduce a bill to prohibit sales of the game in Illinois.

“‘Grand Theft Auto’ and other violent video games are getting in the minds of our young people and perpetuating the normalcy of carjacking,” Evans said. “Carjacking is not normal and carjacking must stop.”

It is obviously not possible to find unanimous support for such a proposal.

American attorney Jonathan Turley criticized this proposal on his blog. Turley wrote: “What such bills accomplish is not crime reduction but political protection. It gives the appearance of action from legislators who do not want to take more decisive or direct action. It is easier to blame a video game than state or city enforcement policies.”