In Obama's home neighborhood of Hyde Park, some residents feel that the right candidate clinched the primary election.
"This means a lot to the country, that we can have someone that is not the norm of what we see in politics as the president of the United States -- someone that appears to be representing the interests of all people," said Lee Edwards.
"I think me and the rest of the nation have been waiting on a leader like this to come along," said Ishmael Alamil.
"It's more than a black nominee that's won. It's a person that is going to basically unite the party," said John Smith.
Some are just happy to see the primary election race come to an end.
"I'm excited that a decision has been made because I have just been impatient. I feel like the Democrats have been throwing away their opportunity to win what was a few months ago hands down a Democratic victory, and when there is all this fighting, it just got really frustrating," said Jacob Cynamon.
Others are focusing on the fact that Obama is the first black person ever to win a major party presidential nomination.
"I remember the time you couldn't even think to have a guy, even an African American running for president and actually winning," said John Fox.
The accomplishment drew Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's attention.
"The United States of America is an extraordinary country. It is a country that has overcome many, many, now years, decades, actually a couple of centuries of trying to make good on its principles," said Rice, the first female black secretary of state in history, serving in a Republican administration.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.
