It was announced this week that the State of Illinois' attempt to pass a law prohibiting the sale of what it considers "violent" games has been killed.

Judge Mathew Kennelly ruled that the state must now pay the video game industry $510,528.64 in attorney’s fees for it's "unconstitutional effort" to enact the law.

"Judge Kennelly’s rulings send two irrefutable messages – not only are efforts to ban the sale of violent video games clearly unconstitutional, they are a waste of taxpayer dollars," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association.

Duh.

Read the full ESA press release HERE.

But luckily for Illinoisians the $500K dent in their wallet won't stop tractor pulls, Carrie Underwood or "Open Beef, Swine and Sheep Shows" as the Illinois State Fair has begun! Phew!