The Safe Games Illinois Act is forging a path through the Illinois Senate, as the state’s Senate Housing and Community Affairs Committee approved the new piece of legislation. It will allow the state to rate games independent of the Entertainment Software Rating Board and to stick retailers who sell violent titles to minors with strict fines and penalties. If the act becomes law, retailers who sell or rent violent or sexually explicit video games to people younger than 18 could face up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine. Retailers also will be required to mark violent and sexually explicit games with labels similar to the “parental advisory” labels found on music CDs, and to post signs explaining the game rating system. If retailers fail to act, they can be hit with a $1,000 fine for the first three violations and a $5,000 fine for subsequent violations.