Updated May 2026 Illinois

Illinois LLC Formation Cost (2026)

Complete breakdown of Illinois LLC costs — from the initial filing fee to annual report fees, publication requirements, and ongoing taxes.

LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team Data sourced from official government websites · Last reviewed: May 2026

$150

Filing Fee

One-time

$75

Annual Report

Recurring

None

Publication Cost

$150+

Est. Year-1 Total

Excl. annual fee

LLC Formation Cost Calculator

Select your state to see filing fees, annual report costs, and formation gotchas.

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Forming an LLC in Illinois: Full Cost Breakdown

To form an LLC in Illinois, you file Articles of Organization (sometimes called a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization) with the Illinois Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $150.

Standard processing time is 10. Expedited processing is available: 24.

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Watch out

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

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Pro tip

Chicago access — major market for B2B and professional services.

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Don't forget your Operating Agreement

Even though Illinois may not legally require it, an Operating Agreement protects your limited liability status and is essential if you have co-founders or a business bank account.

Source: Illinois Secretary of State ↗

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Registered agent required in Illinois

Every LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical Illinois address to receive legal documents. Using a commercial service ($50–$150/yr) keeps your home address off the public record.

Frequently Asked Questions — Illinois LLC

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Illinois?

Forming an LLC in Illinois costs $150 for the state filing fee. The annual report fee is $75 per year. Estimated first-year cost is approximately $150.

What is the LLC filing fee in Illinois?

The Illinois LLC filing fee is $150. This one-time charge is paid to the Illinois Secretary of State to officially register your LLC.

Does Illinois require an annual report for LLCs?

Yes — Illinois LLCs must file an annual report with a fee of $75. Failure to file can result in administrative dissolution of your LLC.

Does Illinois require LLC publication?

No — Illinois does not require LLC publication. This eliminates a significant additional cost compared to states like New York that mandate it.

What is the Illinois LLC franchise tax?

Illinois does not impose a separate franchise tax on LLCs, keeping ongoing operating costs lower.

How do I form an LLC in Illinois?

To form an LLC in Illinois: (1) choose a unique name including "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company", (2) appoint a registered agent with a Illinois address, (3) file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and pay the $150 fee, (4) create an Operating Agreement, and (5) get a free EIN from the IRS. See our full Illinois LLC formation guide for step-by-step instructions.