WASHINGTON---Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the chair of the Senate Democratic political operation hit Chicago on Sunday to map fund-raising strategy with top donors to assist the Alexi Giannoulias Illinois Senate campaign.

Menendez, who oversees the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, huddled with about 30 contributors--who can tap their personal networks for more donors--at a session held at the Saddle and Cycle Club on 900 W. Foster Ave., a few blocks west of Lake Michigan on the North Side.

I was told the take away from the meeting was this: there was a "positive and engaged conversation about the state of the race and the DSCC support for it."

Giannoulias lags behind GOP Senate rival Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), both in cash raised and in cash on hand. As of March 31, Kirk has $3,015,943 cash on hand compared to Giannoulias, with $1,221,628 in his war chest.

Last week, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told me "We will do whatever it takes to help Cong. Kirk win that Senate seat. I am not prepared to quantify that yet." Cornyn was in Chicago on April 6 to headline a funder for Kirk and the NRSC.