Democrats in Illinois literally mapped out their victories in the state's hotly contested congressional races.
The party won most of the big prizes in districts that had been redrawn to squeeze Republicans out of their districts or throw them into Democrat-friendly territory. Democrats controlled the once-a-decade map-drawing process because they have control of the state Legislature and the governor's office.
Democrats picked up four House seats, including three held by GOP freshmen, on a night President Barack Obama scored an easy home-state victory en route to re-election
The congressional wins included Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth's over tea party Congressman Joe Walsh. Freshman GOP Congressman Bob Dold's also lost to Brad Schneider.