Illinois is now on the verge of becoming the 15th state to pass marriage equality after both the state House and Senate passed the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act this week.

The state's Governor, Pat Quinn, has promised to sign the bill once it reaches his desk.

"It was a difficult mountain to climb but we got to the mountaintop and today we can see to the promised land," Quinn said to CBS Chicago.

The news is particularly significant in Illinois because it means marriage equality will be extended to a key major United States city in Chicago. The Chicago metro area -- home to more than 9 million people -- is the third largest in the country.

President Barack Obama, who has ties to Illinois dating back to his days as a community organizer, state Senator, and then U.S. Senator, congratulated Illinois and praised the state for taking a step in the right direction.

"Michelle and I are overjoyed for all the committed couples in Illinois whose love will now be as legal as ours," Obama tweeted.

Others also chimed in to express their happiness about the news in Illinois.

"Separate but equal is un-American. That's why I'm voting for marriage equality," State Rep. Jehan Gordon said.

As attitudes continue to improve, more and more people from different walks of life have joined together to support equality. Ordained minister Gordon Sigl talked about the transition the nation has made in recent decades.

"Back in the day I never would have even considered the possibility that this could ever, ever happen," he said. "It was as crazy as a flying car. I mean you didn't even talk about it, you didn't dream about it. It was out of the question. So now I just cannot wait to marry my first same-sex couple."