A move to end Roland Burris' temporary appointment as a U.S. senator and hold a special election has failed in the Illinois Legislature.
A state Senate subcommittee voted 3-2 along party lines Thursday to reject it.
Democrats argued an election would cost too much. They presented prices up to $100 million -- double the earlier estimates.
Some also accused Republicans of unfairly targeting the nation's only black senator.
But Republicans say Burris was tarnished by accepting an appointment from disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. They want voters to choose.
Right now, Illinois law lets Burris serve until January 2011. The legislation would have ended his appointment and set up a spring election to pick a new senator.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
