How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Illinois?

Illinois LLC Online Filing Fee: $150

The main cost to start an LLC is the $150 fee to file your LLC's Articles of Organization online with the Illinois Secretary of State.

For a look at LLC costs in every state, read our other Cost to Start an LLC and How to Form an LLC guides.

Illinois Annual Report Fee: $75

Illinois requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State.

You can submit this form through the Illinois Secretary of State website or by submitting Form LLC-50.1 by mail. The filing fee is $75, and there is a $100 fee if it is not filed within 60 days of its due date.

Registered Agent Fee

In Illinois you can be your own registered agent, but using a registered agent service helps keep your company in compliance and reminds you of important filing deadlines and avoid late fees.

• If you need to form a new business and get a registered agent, the best package is by Northwest Registered Agent $29 + state fees

OR:

• If only a registered agent is required, Northwest Registered Agent provides an excellent service: $125

Read our guide to learn more about Illinois Registered Agents. You can also read our full guide on the best registered agent services.

Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Illinois

If you already have an LLC that is registered in another state and you’d like to expand your business into Illinois, you’ll need to register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Illinois.

The cost for registering an Illinois foreign LLC is $150. You can register a foreign LLC in Illinois by filing an Application for Admission to Transact Business (Form LLC-45.5).

Business Permits and Licenses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your business might need federal, state, and local permits/licenses to legally operate in Illinois. This is true whether you form an LLC or any other type of business structure.

Learn more about state and local licensing with our guide to getting an Illinois business license.

Other LLC Filing Costs

There are optional fees associated with LLC formation:

LLC Name Reservation:
Reserve your name for up to 90 days prior to LLC formation by filing Form LLC 1.15 and paying the $25 filing fee.

“Doing Business As” (DBA) Name:
File an Application to Adopt, Change, Cancel or Renew an Assumed Name (Form LLC-1.20) and pay the $25 filing fee to create a name other than your legal LLC business name.

Certified Document Copies:
Obtain certified copies of your Illinois business documents by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying $25.

Certificate of Good Standing:
You can obtain an Illinois certificate of good standing by ordering through the Secretary of State and paying the $25 fee. A certificate of good standing is often required by banks and lending institutions.

Five Basic Steps to Start an LLC in Illinois

Step 1: Name Your Illinois LLC
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN

Step 1: Name Your Illinois LLC

When you name your Illinois LLC, you’ll need to choose a name that:

1. Is available for use in the state of Illinois
2. Meets Illinois naming requirements
3. Is available as a web domain

Recommended: Visit our Start an LLC in Illinois guide for detailed naming rules and instructions for registering a business name in Illinois.

Not sure what to name your business? Check out our How to Name a Business guide and free LLC Name Generator.

We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent

All LLCs in Illinois must appoint a registered agent. A registered agent primarily acts as your LLC’s main point of contact with the state. But most importantly, they are responsible for accepting service of process in the event your business is sued.

Your Illinois registered agent must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Have a physical address in Illinois
• Be available during normal business hours to accept service of process

Step 3: File the Articles of Organization

The Illinois Form LLC-5.5 — Articles of Organization is a document that is filed with the Illinois Secretary of State to form an LLC. The fee for filing the Articles of Organization is $150 online.

For detailed instructions for completing the Articles of Organization, visit our How to File the Illinois Articles of Organization guide.

Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement

An operating agreement isn't required for Illinois LLCs, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Illinois LLC operating agreement guide.

Step 5: Get an EIN

What is an EIN? An EIN or Employer Identification Number is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue System (IRS) to identify a business for tax reporting purposes. An EIN is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

• Opening a business bank account
• Hiring employees