Quinn Nomination of Terry Cosgrove Ignites Ill. Senate Dispute

Springfield, Ill. - Two state senators had to be separated by their colleagues Thursday during an ugly argument over a nominee for a political post, trading insults in a spat that escalated until they stood nose to nose in a committee room bickering at one other.

The argument between Democratic Sen. Antonio Munoz and Republican Sen. Dan Duffy was over Gov. Pat Quinn's nomination of Terry Cosgrove to serve on the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Cosgrove runs Personal PAC, a group that advocates for abortion rights and donates to both parties but has been a major Quinn supporter, giving him $400,000 in the last campaign cycle.

Critics accused Quinn of improperly rewarding a political ally with an appointment that pays $46,960 per year.

Quinn said politics had nothing to do with the appointment, adding that Cosgrove is "a passionate advocate for everyone's rights, everyone's civil rights, everyone's human rights." The full Senate confirmed Cosgrove 30-25.

Earlier, in committee, Duffy objected to Cosgrove's nomination for more personal reasons.

Duffy, R-Lake Barrington, alleged that Personal PAC had unfairly targeted him in past campaigns. He displayed campaign literature that he described as dishonest and he alleged that Cosgrove directed voters to a supposed Duffy website that was actually run by someone else.

Duffy repeatedly cut Cosgrove off and told him to remain quiet while Duffy delivered his remarks.

Munoz, the chairman of the Senate appointments committee, scolded Duffy for his harsh tone. "Do not go at any individual that is before us," Munoz warned Duffy. "There's a right way and a wrong way to do things."

Duffy responded, "Mr. Chairman, I hope that you would give me some leeway. I represent 250,000 people in the state of Illinois," before Munoz's shouting drowned him out.

"We've had this problem in the past, and I'm not going to tolerate it," said Munoz, D-Chicago.

Munoz eventually allowed Duffy to proceed, but the bickering didn't cease. Several minutes later Munoz stormed out of his chair toward Duffy. The two argued, their noses only inches apart, until nearby legislators forced them apart.