Quinn raises campaign cash, discusses projects in D.C.

WASHINGTON -- Gov. Quinn raised campaign cash, huddled with members of the Illinois congressional delegation, pitched a plan to help military families and visited President Obama and Chicago pals at the White House on Wednesday.

Quinn, a guest at a delegation lunch, discussed high-speed rail and other projects, including a plan to help needy military personnel and their families through a fund bankrolled though a donation made while paying income taxes.

Quinn, a longtime friend of senior White House adviser David Axelrod's, met with him at the White House and after talking about stimulus funding Axelrod walked him into the Oval Office to see Obama. Quinn said he ran into Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett.

Quinn's fund-raiser was hosted by former Illinois Democratic Party Chair Gary LaPaille, now a Washington lobbyist.

-- Lynn Sweet, Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief