FormByStateState guide
How to form an LLC in Illinois
The steps
Step 1: Choose a name
Pick a company name and confirm it is available in Illinois. The name search sits with Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services, Limited Liability Company Division. Keep the name distinct from companies already on the state register.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
An individual resident of the state or an entity authorized to transact business in the state. Decide now whether that will be you or a commercial service, because the filing asks for the agent name and address.
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5)
File with Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services, Limited Liability Company Division and pay the state formation fee of $150. This filing is what creates the LLC.
Step 4: Write an operating agreement
An operating agreement records who owns the company, who runs it, and what happens if an owner leaves. It is an internal document in most states, but banks and partners ask for it.
Step 5: Get a tax ID number and set your calendar
Apply to the Internal Revenue Service for an employer identification number at no charge, open a company bank account, and record the Annual Report deadline from this page so the first report is never a surprise.
State fees
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Formation fee, Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5) | $150 |
| Annual Report, each year | $75 |
| Annual state fee | None, $0 |
| Paid to the state, year one | $225 |
| Paid to the state, every year after | $75 |
Registered agent rules in Illinois
Who may serve: An individual resident of the state or an entity authorized to transact business in the state.
A physical street address in the state is required.
A post office box alone is not enough. Registered agent must have a physical street address in Illinois.
Not sure which route fits you? Run the registered agent checker for Illinois.
Reports and deadlines
Report: Annual Report. Fee: $75 each filing, each year.
Rule: Due before the first day of the anniversary month each year. Exact dates depend on your formation date. The compliance calendar for Illinois turns the rule into dates from your formation date.
Late fee: $100 penalty if filed 60 or more days late. Administrative dissolution for failure to file.
What you pay the state every year after
You pay the state $75 every year after year one in Illinois, counting the report fee spread across its filing cycle and any annual state fee. The formation fee itself is paid once, in year one. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top of that floor. The formation service chart below adds each service route to these state fees.
What it costs to hand it over to a formation service company in Illinois
Do not want the headache of filing all the paperwork yourself, or the worry of missing a deadline and falling out of good standing? No problem. Plenty of formation service companies are willing to take the whole burden off your hands. They file the form with the state, act as your registered agent, and remind you before every yearly filing comes due. This chart prices each one in Illinois, with the state fees already added in, so you can see the full cost of handing it over.
| Formation service company | Plan | Registered agent | State filing fees, first year | State fees, every year after | Total, first year | Total, every year after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | Basic, $0 | $0 in year one, then $149 a year | $225 | $75 | $225 | $224 |
| Northwest Registered Agent (our pick) | LLC formation, $39 | $0 in year one, then $125 a year | $225 | $75 | $264 | $200 |
| ZenBusiness | Starter, $0 | $199 a year | $225 | $75 | $424 | $274 |
| Tailor Brands | Lite, $0 | $199 a year | $225 | $75 | $424 | $274 |
| LegalZoom | Basic, $0 | $249 a year | $225 | $75 | $474 | $324 |
The plan price is printed with the plan name. The agent column is what that formation service company charges to act as your registered agent. In Illinois, the state column is every state charge due in the first year, of which the Articles of Organization fee is $150. Each total adds the state column for that year, the plan price, and the agent charge for that year. No add ons are included. Extras like an operating agreement cost more.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Illinois?
The state filing fee in Illinois is $150 for the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5). What you pay the state in year one comes to $225, counting any report fee due in year one and any annual state fee. A formation service company and a commercial agent add their own charges on top.
How much does an LLC in Illinois cost each year?
The recurring state charges in Illinois are: Annual Report $75 each year. After year one, you pay the state $75 a year.
Do I need a registered agent in Illinois?
Yes. An individual resident of the state or an entity authorized to transact business in the state. Registered agent must have a physical street address in Illinois.
When is the Annual Report due in Illinois?
Due before the first day of the anniversary month each year The fee is $75 each filing.
Source: Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services, Limited Liability Company Division, https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/. State information checked on 2026-10-25. Service prices on this site were checked on merchant pricing pages on October 25, 2026.