Illinois vs Minnesota: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)
Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Illinois and Minnesota — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.
LLC Formation Costs: Illinois vs Minnesota
| Metric | Illinois | Minnesota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $150 | $155 | ✓ Illinois |
| Annual Report | $75 | $0 | ✓ Minnesota |
| Publication Cost | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Franchise Tax | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Est. Year-1 Total | $150 | $155 | ✓ Illinois |
Filing Fee
✓ Illinois is cheaper here
Annual Report
✓ Minnesota is cheaper here
Publication Cost
It's a tie
Franchise Tax
It's a tie
Est. Year-1 Total
✓ Illinois is cheaper here
Illinois: Illinois processing time can be slow — up to 10 business days for standard filing.
Minnesota: Minnesota's formation fee is moderate — but check for city/county business license requirements.
Illinois: Chicago access — major market for B2B and professional services.
Minnesota: No annual report fee after the initial formation.
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Let a trusted formation service handle the paperwork for your chosen state — starting at $39 + state fees.
Small Claims Court: Illinois vs Minnesota
| Metric | Illinois | Minnesota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Claim Limit | $10,000 | $15,000 | ✓ Minnesota |
| Min Filing Fee | $56 | $75 | ✓ Illinois |
| Contract SOL | 5 yrs | 6 yrs | ✓ Minnesota |
Max Claim Limit
✓ Minnesota is cheaper here
Min Filing Fee
✓ Illinois is cheaper here
Contract SOL
✓ Minnesota is cheaper here
Divorce Filing Costs: Illinois vs Minnesota
| Metric | Illinois | Minnesota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $289 | $365 | ✓ Illinois |
| Sheriff Service | $60 | $60 | Tie |
| Children Surcharge | $0 | $0 | Tie |
Filing Fee
✓ Illinois is cheaper here
Sheriff Service
It's a tie
Children Surcharge
It's a tie
Notary Fees: Illinois vs Minnesota
| Metric | Illinois | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Acknowledgment | $5 | $5 |
| Jurat | $5 | $5 |
| RON Fee | $25 | — |
Acknowledgment
Jurat
RON Fee