CHICAGO – Democrats literally mapped out their victories in Illinois congressional races this year, winning most of the big prizes in districts that had been redrawn to squeeze out Republicans or throw them into Democrat-friendly territory.

The party picked up four congressional seats, including three held by GOP freshmen, Tuesday night as President Barack Obama scored an easy home-state victory en route to re-election.

“I knew when I got into this race, when I chose this race a year ago, that we were up against a lot,” said Congressman Joe Walsh, a tea party favorite who lost to Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth in one of the most closely watched races in the country. “We were up against a candidate who had a district drawn for her by very powerful people.”