LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Illinois vs Pennsylvania: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in Illinois and Pennsylvania — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Pennsylvania
Cheaper LLC
Pennsylvania
Cheaper Divorce
Pennsylvania
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Illinois vs Pennsylvania

Illinois
Pennsylvania

Filing Fee

$150
$125 WIN

✓ Pennsylvania is cheaper here

Annual Report

$75
$70 WIN

✓ Pennsylvania is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$150
$125 WIN

✓ Pennsylvania is cheaper here

Illinois: Illinois processing time can be slow — up to 10 business days for standard filing.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania recently switched from decennial to annual report requirements — more admin overhead now.

Illinois: Chicago access — major market for B2B and professional services.

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh offer strong mid-Atlantic market access.

Editor's pick

Ready to Form Your LLC?

Let a trusted formation service handle the paperwork for your chosen state — starting at $39 + state fees.

Start My LLC Today →

Small Claims Court: Illinois vs Pennsylvania

Illinois
Pennsylvania

Max Claim Limit

$10,000
$12,000 WIN

✓ Pennsylvania is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$56
$45 WIN

✓ Pennsylvania is cheaper here

Contract SOL

5 yrs WIN
4 yrs

✓ Illinois is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Illinois vs Pennsylvania

Illinois
Pennsylvania

Filing Fee

$289
$201 WIN

✓ Pennsylvania is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$60
$45 WIN

✓ Pennsylvania is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0
$0

It's a tie

Notary Fees: Illinois vs Pennsylvania

Illinois
Pennsylvania

Acknowledgment

$5
$5

Jurat

$5
$5

RON Fee

$25
—
All Legal Costs in Illinois →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Pennsylvania →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Illinois or Pennsylvania cheaper to form an LLC?
Pennsylvania is cheaper to form an LLC — $125 vs $150. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Illinois year-1 total is $150 vs Pennsylvania at $125.
What is the LLC filing fee in Illinois vs Pennsylvania?
The LLC filing fee is $150 in Illinois vs $125 in Pennsylvania. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Illinois charges a $75 annual report fee and Pennsylvania charges a $70 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Illinois or Pennsylvania?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Illinois, form there — registering in Pennsylvania and then foreign-qualifying in Illinois means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between Illinois and Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has lower divorce filing fees — $201 vs $289. Both states also charge for service of process ($60 in Illinois, $45 in Pennsylvania). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Illinois vs Pennsylvania?
The small claims limit is $10,000 in Illinois vs $12,000 in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $56 in Illinois and $45 in Pennsylvania.