How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Illinois?
The cost to start an LLC (limited liability company) online in Illinois is $150. This fee is paid to the Illinois Secretary of State when filing the LLC’s Articles of Organization.
We recommend Northwest ($29 + State Fees) to help form your LLC.
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Illinois?
Illinois LLC Online Filing Fee: $150
The main cost to start an LLC in Illinois 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.
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).
Optional LLC Formation 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.
Assumed 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.
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Annual Cost of an LLC in Illinois
Once you have successfully formed your LLC in Illinois, it's important to understand the ongoing annual costs associated with maintaining your LLC's compliance and operations.
While these costs may vary depending on your specific business needs, there are several common expenses to consider when budgeting for the annual cost of your LLC in Illinois.
- Annual Report: In Illinois, LLCs are required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State's office. The filing fee for the annual report is $75. This report includes updated information about your LLC, such as its address, members, and managers. Failing to file the annual report by the due date can result in late fees or even administrative dissolution of your LLC.
- Registered Agent Service: Having a registered agent is a legal requirement for LLCs in Illinois. A registered agent receives important legal and official documents on behalf of your LLC. If you choose to hire a registered agent service, the fee can range from around $100 to $300 per year. Some LLC owners choose to serve as their own registered agents, which eliminates this cost but requires being available during business hours to receive legal documents.
How to Register an Illinois LLC Yourself
Forming an LLC in Illinois is easy. Simply follow the steps outlined on this page.
Recommended: Using an LLC formation service like Northwest ($29 + State Fees) saves time and ensures compliance. Besides the low cost, we like their streamlined approach and excellent customer service.
Illinois LLC Cost FAQ
When you form an LLC in Illinois, you must file your Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State, which comes with a fee of $150. This can be done online or by mail. Additionally, other costs that may be associated with forming an LLC include the cost of hiring a registered agent, purchasing business insurance, and maintaining the LLC.
A registered agent is a person or entity who will receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC. In Illinois, a registered agent's official consent is not required either initially or for appointing a new agent. The cost of hiring a registered agent can vary depending on the service you choose.
Yes, maintaining an LLC in Illinois involves filing an annual report with the Illinois Secretary of State each year, which has a fee of $75.
Before you form your LLC, you need to choose a unique name that is distinguishable from other businesses in Illinois. You can search for name availability using the Corporation/LLC Search tool.
There is no additional fee for a name availability search in Illinois. However, if you wish to operate under a different name, you may do so by filing an assumed name, or "doing business as" (DBA) name.
In Illinois, you can obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, which affirms that your LLC is legally formed and properly maintained. The method of applying and any associated fees will depend on your specific circumstances.
Yes, the Articles of Organization can be filed online or by mail with the Illinois Secretary of State. The filing fee is $150.
Yes, LLC formation services can streamline the process of setting up an LLC by handling paperwork, like filing the Articles of Organization, and providing useful features, like registered agent services. These services usually come with a fee, so remember to include it in your budget.
In Illinois, there aren't any specific state compliance fees beyond the filing and annual report fees mentioned earlier. However, always be mindful of potential costs like business insurance, potential registered agent service fees, and possible expenses if you choose to use LLC formation services.
Article Sources
Illinois Licenses and Permits
https://www.illinois.gov/business/registration-licenses-permits.html
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employer-id-numbers
Illinois Secretary of State Business Services
https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/services/business.html
Small Business Administration
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
Chamber of Commerce
https://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/Illinois.html