Terry Cosgrove

Terry Cosgrove is an abortion-rights activist and member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Cosgrove is CEO of Personal PAC, a political action committee that supports Illinois General Assembly and Illinois Executive Branch candidates who favor abortion rights, typically but not exclusively Democrats. He has received criticism for his ethically questionable tactics, including from Chicago Tribune liberal columnist Eric Zorn.

Career

Cosgrove began his political activism as a volunteer for campaigns by organized labor in the 1970s. In 1989, he was named Personal PAC executive director, later being promoted to President and CEO.

Cosgrove’s tactics are highly aggressive, which has led to criticism. Personal PAC under Cosgrove will impute a no-exceptions anti-abortion view to a candidate who does not return its detailed questionnaire, leading to harsh hostile direct mail and robocalls from the group. Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn called “rubbish on his infamous tactics,” noting that it “discredits his cause to exaggerate.”

For his part, Cosgrove claims his tactics are highly effective and takes credit for ensuring the re-election of Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in a hotly contested 2010 race.

In addition to his advocacy for abortion rights, Cosgrove is a prominent gay rights advocate. He has served on the board of directors for the group Equality Illinois PAC.

Personal life

Cosgrove holds two Master’s degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Labor and Industrial Relations and Social Policy.