State Rep. Kelly Cassidy introduced a measure to protect sensitive geographical areas from augmented reality games such as Pokemon GO.
At the Loyola Dunes Restoration Site in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood, a PokeStop had been placed on a site that state and federal offices protect, enticing players to leave the designated path and inadvertently trample sensitive habitat and bird nesting grounds.
Pidgey's Law, which is named after a birdlike Pokemon, would apply to all augmented reality games that send players to real-world locations and fine developers every day they do not honor a removal request.
"Pokemon GO has taken our neighborhood by storm and has proven to be a unique way in which we interact with our community and its members," said Cassidy in a statement. "Unfortunately, we've seen a dune restoration area and bird sanctuary trampled on a nightly basis due to a location in the game. This is one of many stories where historical sites and sensitive areas have been disturbed, and this legislation will ensure an efficient process is in place to address issues that arise."
The Loyola Dunes Pokestop has been removed.
