With carnival and state fair season in full swing, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a law Thursday prohibiting sex offenders from working at the festivals statewide.

Considering the amount of children present at these events, Blagojevich signed House Bill 156 into law Thursday which prevents convicted felons from working at state fairs or carnivals, according to a release from the Governor's office.

The law comes just days after a Lake County Fair carnival worker from Chicago was accused of molesting two girls on the Ghost Pirates ride in Indiana on July 27.

A violation of the new law could result in one to three years of jail time and a maximum penalty of $25,000, the release said.

The bill amends the Criminal Code that it is illegal for a convicted sex offender to knowingly reside within 500 feet of a playground, day care facility, or any other exclusively child-oriented place, the release said.