WASHINGTON - Gov. Pat Quinn discussed Illinois issues over lunch with state lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

High-speed rail, a Department of Energy project known as FutureGen, and aid to military families were at the center of the discussion, the governor said at a news conference following the monthly Illinois delegation lunch.

"It was a lunch that focused on many issues but there was one recurring thing: jobs," U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said at the news conference, which also was attended by other Democrats from Illinois including U.S. Sen. Roland Burris and U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston, Bill Foster of Batavia and Debbie Halvorson of Crete.

Describing infrastructure as the key to job creation, Quinn said Illinois was "working with the federal government to build roads, bridges, water systems, including our high-speed rail," adding that the "federal stimulus bill has really helped Illinois."

Quinn said Illinois lawmakers from both sides of the aisle support the project and that he is working with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

"This is a job creator," he said, adding that Illinois was now waiting for the results of its application for federal funding. The state is competing for a slice of $8 billion in startup funding that the Obama administration has allocated to develop high-speed rail across the country.

Lawmakers and the governor also advocated for FutureGen, a Department of Energy demonstration project for a near-zero-emissions coal-fired power plant near downstate Mattoon.

According to Durbin, the project "has literally created hundreds of jobs in downstate Illinois." The project aims at increasing the country's energy production.

Quinn also endorsed the bill establishing the National Military Family Relief Fund. Introduced by Foster in February, the bill would provide aid to military families in all branches of the armed services across America. Taxpayers would voluntarily contribute by filling in an amount on their federal income tax forms and the Department of Defense would administer the fund.

In Illinois, a similar fund already exists. The Military Family Relief Fund was signed into law in 2003 and $10.4 million has already been distributed to Illinois military families, Quinn said.

"Illinois has service members who have served in Afghanistan last year and many more who have served in Iraq," and it's important we take good care of them, Quinn said.

Under Foster's bill, active-duty servicemen and women fighting in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and veterans and their families would be eligible for grants.

Asked about the Senate health care reform bill provision that would allow states to 'opt out' of participating in public insurance plan if they choose, the governor said he believes "Illinois should opt in to the president's health-care reform if we want to have health care for everyone and I am very supportive of the president's efforts."

But he said he was hoping for more federal funding for Medicaid, a program he described as "the key part of every state budget."

"We are very grateful to the president and Congress for including a more generous reimbursement for Medicaid under the federal stimulus. I hope this will continue after the stimulus expires," he said.