Form Your Illinois LLC
State filing fee: $150 • Processing: 5-10 business days
Establish Your Illinois LLC in the Land of Lincoln
Illinois offers access to Chicago's major markets, central US location, and diverse economy. Despite higher taxes, Illinois provides exceptional infrastructure, educated workforce, and opportunities in finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology.
Compare Top 5 LLC Formation Services
| Service | Price | Processing Time | Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
ZenBusiness Best Overall Value | $0 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: 1 day | $199/yr |
Bizee Fastest Formation | $0 + state fees | 3 weeks Expedited: 1 day | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr |
Inc Authority Free Formation | $0 + state fees | 7-10 days Expedited: 2 days | Free Year 1 Then $119/yr |
LegalZoom Best for Legal Support | $0 + state fees | 5-14 days Expedited: 1 day | $249/yr |
Rocket Lawyer Legal Documents | $99.99 + state fees | 5-7 days Expedited: Not available | $149/yr |
Top 3 Recommended Services for Illinois
ZenBusiness
Entrepreneurs who want comprehensive support and compliance tools at an affordable price
ZenBusiness stands out as our top pick for LLC formation services thanks to its unbeatable combination of value, features, and support. With formation starting at $0 plus state fees, you can rest easy with their worry-free compliance service, award-winning customer support, and 100% accuracy guarantee. The Pro and Premium packages add even more value with 1-day processing, an employer ID number, operating agreement, and services to get your business online like domain name registration, AI business website builder, and more.
Pros:
- ✓ Starter package is $0 plus state fees
- ✓ Registered agent and compliance services
- ✓ Free worry-free compliance for 1 year
- ✓ Fast 1-day processing time available
- ✓ 100% accuracy guarantee
- ✓ Award-winning customer support
Cons:
- ✗ Some features require upgraded plans
- ✗ More expensive Registered Agent service
Bizee
Budget-conscious startups needing fast formation
Bizee (formerly Incfile) offers lightning-fast LLC formation with their $0 package. They're perfect for entrepreneurs who need to form their LLC quickly and affordably. With same-day processing in many states and a year of free registered agent service, Bizee provides exceptional value for basic LLC formation needs.
Pros:
- ✓ $0 basic formation package
- ✓ Same-day processing available
- ✓ Free registered agent for first year
- ✓ Compliance alerts included
- ✓ Dashboard for document management
- ✓ Free business tools and templates
Cons:
- ✗ Operating agreement not included in basic package
- ✗ Limited customer support hours
Tailor Brands
Creative businesses wanting formation plus branding
Tailor Brands combines LLC formation with comprehensive branding tools. Their unique approach includes AI-powered logo design, website creation, and marketing materials. Perfect for creative entrepreneurs who want to establish their brand identity alongside their legal structure.
Pros:
- ✓ Includes logo design and branding
- ✓ Website builder included
- ✓ Business card designs
- ✓ Mobile app available
- ✓ Operating agreement included
- ✓ EIN service included
Cons:
- ✗ No rush processing available
- ✗ Monthly subscription required
- ✗ Customer service via chat/email only
Illinois LLC Formation Costs
Illinois LLC Cost Breakdown
Additional Costs to Consider:
- • Formation service fees: $0 - $299 (depending on provider)
- • Registered agent service: $99 - $299/year
- • EIN from IRS: Free (or $99+ if using a service)
Frequently Asked Questions
- State filing fee: $150 (online) or $500 (paper)
- Annual report: $75 (due each year before anniversary)
- Registered agent: Required (typically $99-$299/year)
Illinois charges $500 for paper filings versus $150 online to encourage electronic filing. This $350 difference is one of the largest in the nation. Online filing is faster, more efficient, and provides immediate confirmation. The state processes online filings much quicker and reduces errors through built-in validation.
- Online filing: 5-10 business days
- Expedited online: 24 hours for $100 additional fee
- Paper filing: 15-20 business days
- Expedited paper: 24 hours for $200 additional fee
Illinois LLCs must file an annual report before the anniversary date of formation, with a $75 fee. The report updates company information including principal office, registered agent, and managers. Late filing results in penalties and potential administrative dissolution. Illinois sends reminders 60 days before the due date.
- Chicago markets: Access to major financial and commodity exchanges
- Transportation hub: Central location with excellent rail, highway, and air connections
- Educated workforce: Multiple major universities
- Industry diversity: Strong in finance, manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare
- Infrastructure: World-class transportation and logistics
- Innovation: Growing tech and startup ecosystem
No, Illinois doesn't require newspaper publication for LLC formation, unlike neighboring states like New York. This saves new LLCs hundreds or thousands of dollars in formation costs. Illinois only requires standard state filing and registered agent appointment, making the formation process straightforward.
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