- Filing fee
- $150
- Annual Report
- $75
- First-year gov. cost
- $150
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Illinois will accept
The business name must include LLC designators.
Search existing Illinois business names before you commit. Illinois naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
A registered agent with a physical Illinois street address is required.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Illinois registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5)
Submit it to the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services through the official filing portal and pay $150. A Series LLC requires a $400 fee.
Processing: online Around 10 business days; by mail Not specified. Expedite: Expedited 24-hour service is available for an additional $100..
Write an operating agreement
Strongly recommended, not required by statute to be filed.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report ($75), due Before the first day of the LLC's anniversary month. Flat $100 late penalty is immediately attached. Illinois report deadlines.
Every Illinois LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5) | $150 | A Series LLC requires a $400 fee. |
| Annual Report | $75 | annual, Before the first day of the LLC's anniversary month |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | 90 days |
| Change of registered agent | $25 | Filing a Statement of Change costs $25. |
| Amendment | $50 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $25 | |
| Application for Admission to Transact Business | $150 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Statement of Termination (Form LLC-35.15) | $5 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $30 to $150 | state |
How Illinois compares nationally
- Illinois's filing fee of $150 is the 13th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Illinois's first-year government cost of $150 is the 16th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Illinois's yearly cost after that of $75 is the 18th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services costs $150 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Illinois street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Illinois's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Illinois fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $150 | $0 |
| Northwest | $189 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $150 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
Flat personal income tax rate of 4.95% on passthrough income. Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) of 1.5% of net income if taxed as a partnership or S-Corporation.
What's different about Illinois
- Sliding-scale DBA fee based on the year of registration.
- No maximum time limit for reinstating an administratively dissolved LLC.
- A Series LLC is legal and heavily utilized in Illinois for real estate holding.
More Illinois LLC guides
Illinois LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Illinois?
The Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services charges $150 to file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $150 in government fees (Formation fee.).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Illinois?
Online: Around 10 business days. By mail: Not specified. Expedited: Expedited 24-hour service is available for an additional $100..
Does an Illinois LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Illinois requires the Annual Report, which costs $75, filed annual. Due: Before the first day of the LLC's anniversary month. Flat $100 late penalty is immediately attached.
Can I be my own registered agent in Illinois?
Yes. A registered agent with a physical Illinois street address is required. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Illinois require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Illinois has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Illinois?
Strongly recommended, not required by statute to be filed.
What taxes does an Illinois LLC pay to the state?
Flat personal income tax rate of 4.95% on passthrough income. Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT) of 1.5% of net income if taxed as a partnership or S-Corporation.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: processing.mail.