Illinois saw a major blue wave this midterm — and a lot of that was by design.

Why it matters: The most recent redistricting of the political map by Democrats helped guarantee last night's congressional victories.

Yes, but: Outside the Chicago area and university towns, most rural counties favored Darren Bailey for governor.

• And Chicago voters diverged from overall Illinois voters by more than 20 percentage points on major races and issues.

Between the lines: Traditional Republican strongholds in collar counties are now leaning Democrat, possibly pushed that way by former President Trump, who doesn't poll well with suburban voters.

Driving the news: Democrat Deb Conroy secured the chair of the DuPage County board Tuesday, leading some Democrats to start calling it "BluePage."

• JB Pritzker won the county for the second time after becoming the first Democratic gubernatorial candidate to win DuPage in over 100 years in 2018.

The intrigue: The Democratic map delivered wins this time, but districts with close contests could prove to be future battlegrounds.

• Plus, Pritzker handed out millions to his party's candidates up and down the ballot, drastically outspending Republicans.

What's next: Illinois House GOP leader Jim Durkin announced he his stepping down from his leadership post Wednesday, saying it's time "to rebuild with new leaders who can bring independents back to the party."

💭 Justin's thought bubble: When Trump leaves the political stage and state Republicans field more moderate candidates, will DuPage return as a GOP powerhouse?

• Hard to say, but if I were a Republican operative, I'd zero in on bringing the western suburbs back. It's the key to being competitive in Illinois.

According to Reform for Illinois' Sunshine Database, candidates for governor raised $203,891,396, a state record.

The intrigue: If that number makes your eyes glaze over, our hot dog chart makes it easier to stomach.

Of note: Fries not included.

With the midterms in the rearview mirror, it's time to focus on the mayoral election arriving in just three months.

Driving the news: U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is expected to join the crowded field running against Mayor Lori Lightfoot today after he won re-election Tuesday night.

• Garcia picked today because it's the 40th anniversary of Harold Washington's historic announcement of his mayoral campaign.

Context: Garcia served in the City Council under Washington and then as a Cook County Commissioner. He joined the U.S. House in 2019, succeeding Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who retired.

• Garcia ran for mayor in 2015 against Rahm Emanuel, forcing a runoff but ultimately losing.

What we're watching: A progressive Democrat, Garcia was a party delegate and Bernie Sanders supporter.

• But it's unclear if he can secure the endorsement of progressive powerhouses like the Chicago Teachers Union, which is already behind Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.
• And SEIU Local 73, the powerful public service union, endorsed Johnson yesterday after backing Garcia in 2015.

🏛 Chicago shed its "junk status" as Moody's upgraded our credit rating, the first time in seven years the city has been upgraded. (Bloomberg)

🍔 CPS lunchrooms are experiencing shortages in both labor and food. (Block Club)

🏈 Bears QB Justin Fields was named NFC offensive player of the week after his record-setting performance Sunday against the Dolphins. (Sun-Times)

💼 Check out who’s hiring now.

1. Director Analyst, Marketing and Communications Content Strategy and Implementation at Gartner.
2. Senior Product Owner at Discover.
3. Director of Global Digital Merchandising at Hyatt.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

The Bears host the Lions on Sunday. Each week, we ask a local from the opponents' city to recommend foods for your authentic pregame spread.

• Today, we turn it over to Axios Detroit colleague Joe Guillen.

🍕 Detroit-style pizza: This bready (and, frankly, superior) cousin to Chicago deep dish is distinguished by its "frico" — the delicious, crispy cheese baked into the crust that makes each slice pop with flavor and texture.

🥙 Falafel: Detroit is known for its Middle Eastern fare, and this versatile delicacy is a perfect vegetarian option. Form ground chickpeas into balls, then deep fry or bake and pair with hummus and other toppings in a pita — or on a bed of rice with grilled veggies.

• Here's a recipe.

🍟 Chili cheese fries: We're all about coney dogs, but you already knew that. Try using the beefy coney chili with melted cheese atop crispy french fries. Forget the mess and indulge!

As for the game, the Lions are praying their defensive turnaround last week holds up against Fields.

• Detroit, on the other hand, has a quarterback problem.
• So, a Bears win — and a higher draft pick for the Lions — wouldn't be a total loss.
• We have to find silver linings across the lake!

Get ready for one of the most bananas Bourbon County Brand Stouts (BCBS) that Goose Island has ever produced, writes Axios Denver's John Frank.

Why it matters: BCBS revolutionized craft brewing when it was introduced in 1992, and even though the brewery is now owned by giant Anheuser-Busch, it remains one of the most coveted and refined beers of its kind.

What to know: Saturday's Prop Day — the release party for the brewery's legendary bourbon-barrel aged stout — features seven variants, none more interesting than the local-only Proprietor's blend.

• The 2022 edition tiki-cocktail-inspired stout features banana, coconut, lime and — for the first time ever for the brand — pineapple.

The intrigue: It's a Rorschach test of flavor. In a recent tasting, the panel couldn't agree on which flavor is dominant among the coconut, banana or pineapple, Frank says.

• But it recalled a Mounds candy bar with a smooth thread of banana.

Read more about the new BCBS beer