Albanians in Chicago

While still a small proportion of the population, Albanian Americans have contributed significantly to the food scene of Chicagoland, especially in the pizza and Italian cuisine industry.

[1] To avoid service in the Turkish War due to Albania being under Ottoman Empire rule, groups of Albanians came to the US in the late 1800s.

[2] According to 2018-2022 Census estimates, there are approximately 6,500 Albanian immigrants residing in Illinois, with the majority living in Cook (3,000) and DuPage (2,500) Counties.

[5] Smaller suburban communities such as Palos Hills, Burr Ridge, Streamwood, Addison, Elmwood Park, Palatine, Glendale Heights, Oswego, and Glen Ellyn also have Albanian populations which accumulate to very near one percent or surpassing that figure of said cities' populations.

The Hidai Eddie Bregu Program Of Albanian Studies is offered at DePaul University.

The exurban countryside community of Minooka is home to a rife Albanian community.
The Albanian Orthodox Church has an establishment in Chicago, where language lessons are taught.