Illinois Democrats held their ground in last night's midterms by winning almost every contested seat and maintaining a 5-2 majority in the state Supreme Court.

Why it matters: Voters cemented Illinois as a Democratic stronghold in the region.

What they're saying: "We're an oasis here in the Midwest," IL Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in his victory speech.

By the numbers: Chicagoans cast 636,931 ballots representing 41.3% of registered voters by 7pm last night, per the Chicago Board of Elections.

• Most popular hour to vote: 5pm.
• Age group that cast the most votes: 55-64.

Zoom in: In the U.S. House, IL Democrats in their remapped congressional districts captured 14 of the 17 seats.

• 14th: Incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood narrowly defeated Republican Scott Gryder.
• 3rd: Democratic State Rep. Delia Ramirez becomes the first Latina elected to the U.S. House from Illinois.
• 4th: Democrat Rep. Chuy Garcia won his re-election bid, but all signs point to him announcing a run for mayor soon. He was spotted greeting voters yesterday with Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
• 6th: Incumbent Democrat Sean Casten squeaked by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. Casten, whose teen daughter passed away during the campaign, teared up during his victory speech and decried the current political acrimony, saying, "Part of the reason it feels so good to win tonight is because I needed a reminder … that we are better than this."

What's more: U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth won her re-election bid over Kathy Salvi after outraising her GOP opponent by $19 million.

• Salvi lacked major financial support from the RNC, only raising $1.1 million.

The other side: Downstate Republican Reps. Mary Miller, Darin LaHood and Mike Bost won their races and are returning to Congress.

The bottom line: Illinois is increasingly a blue island in the Midwest with progressive stances on issues like reproductive rights, COVID-19 mitigation and immigration.

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Gov. JB Pritzker won his second term as Illinois governor — and it wasn't even close.

• The Associated Press called the win for Pritzker over State Sen. Darren Bailey mere seconds after the polls closed.

Why it matters: The win gives Pritzker a mandate to continue his legislative agenda, which includes criminal justice reform and maintaining the state as a safe haven for reproductive rights.

• Pritzker's victory also shows the continuing influence of money in Illinois politics, as this campaign was the most expensive in state history.

Context: The two candidates spent $215 million, with Pritzker self-financing over $132 million.

• Bailey and other GOP candidates were supported by billionaires Dick Uihlein and Ken Griffin.
• The race got ugly, with PACs using shifty tactics to misinform voters.
• It was also one of several races across the country where Democrats appeared to strategically take on a far-right candidate, as they were presumably easier to beat.

What they're saying: "Two of the nation's biggest MAGA billionaires along with their team of political grifters spewed lies and innuendo," Pritzker said in his victory speech last night.

• "You showed them that Illinois is a state that stands up for working class families and rejects their selfish agenda."
• "Illinois' excellence defies division."

The other side: The majority of voters rejected Bailey's assertion that the state is broken and Chicago is a "hellhole."

• In other words, Bailey's attacks on Chicago didn't resonate with voters from … Chicago.

What he's saying: "Republicans need to be the loyal opposition in Springfield," Bailey said in his concession speech last night.

• "In opposition to the radical policies of the Democrats."

What we're watching: Pritzker's big win signals he's the undisputed leader of the Democratic party in Illinois, but could he also be burnishing his reputation ahead of a presidential bid?

Democrats retained every single statewide office in Illinois.

Secretary of State

Alexi Giannoulias is replacing the retiring Jesse White. Giannoulias returns to Springfield hoping to modernize the office, which doesn't certify elections like in other states, but instead focuses on vehicle licensing.

• His challenger, state Rep. Dan Brady, had difficulties raising money.

Attorney General

Incumbent Kwame Raoul fended off Republican challenger Thomas DeVore.

• Raoul helped craft criminal justice reform in Springfield.
• DeVore, an attorney, ran an aggressive campaign criticizing the SAFE-T act and suing the AG's office over mandates.

Illinois Supreme Court

With two seats up for grabs on the court, the outcome of these races could have shifted control to Republicans after half a century of Democratic control. Instead, the Democrats may have won both open seats for a 5-2 Democrat majority.

• Democrat Appellate Court Justice Mary Kay O'Brien holds a slim lead over Republican Justice Michael Burke in the 2nd district (50.6-49.4%) with 95% of the precincts reporting.
• Democrat Judge Elizabeth Rochford beat former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran in the 3rd district (54.4-45.6%).

Of note: Democrats held on to the Illinois treasurer and comptroller offices while maintaining their majority in the General Assembly.

• Hoan Huynh, who won the 13th District including Uptown, Lincoln Square and West Ridge, will be the first Vietnamese-American to serve in the General Assembly.

✅ As expected, all Cook County Democrats won their respective seats. That includes Cook County board president Toni Preckwinkle, who has signaled this will be her final term in office. (WGN-TV)

• Cook County commissioner Sean Morrison, the lone Republican commissioner, won re-election. (Sun-Times)

🙋‍♀️ As of this morning, Democrat Deb Conroy holds a slight lead in the race for the DuPage county board chairman. If Conroy holds the lead, she'll be the first woman to serve as chair. (Tribune)

👷‍♂️ An amendment to codify the right for workers to organize in the state constitution was too close to call this morning. The amendment needs 60% of those voting on the measure or a majority of those voting in the election to pass. (New York Times)

🌳 The ballot initiative for funding for the Cook County Forest Preserve passed easily. (WTTW)