Form Your Illinois LLC
Establish your business in the Prairie State with access to Chicago's world-class business ecosystem and central US location
Filed in Illinois
The Prairie State · IL
- State filing fee$150
- Processing time5-10 business days
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$75 — due Before the first day of LLC anniversary month
- State tax rate9.5% corporate income tax
- Expedited option1 business day (24-hour service) (+$100)
Form your Illinois LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Illinois LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $150 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Illinois Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Illinois — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in Illinois
Illinois offers unmatched transportation infrastructure and access to a diverse, educated workforce. While the tax burden is higher than some states, Chicago's position as a global business center and the state's central location make it a strategic choice for many businesses.
Major transportation and logistics hub in the center of the US
Diverse economy with world-class financial and technology sectors
Access to a massive talent pool from top universities
Chicago offers a global business center with lower costs than NYC or LA
Remove or correct: the Illinois franchise tax was not repealed in 2024; LLCs are simply not subject to the corporate franchise tax
Strong infrastructure with O'Hare Airport and extensive rail network
Key features of a Illinois LLC
- LLCs are not subject to the Illinois corporate franchise tax (the corporate franchise tax was not repealed in 2024)
- Central US location with world-class transportation
- Chicago provides global business center
- Online filing through CyberDrive system
Major industries in Illinois
Form your Illinois LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 5-10 business days.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Search the Illinois Secretary of State's database to verify availability.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Illinois requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Illinois Secretary of State. The filing fee is $150. Online filing is available through the CyberDrive system.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
Illinois does not require an Operating Agreement to be filed, but having one is strongly recommended for internal governance and liability protection.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax purposes, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
File Annual Report
Illinois LLCs must file an annual report before the first day of the anniversary month of formation. The fee is $75.
Illinois LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Illinois LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Illinois LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with Illinois Secretary of State
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Illinois address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File annual report before anniversary month ($75)
- Obtain necessary business licenses and permits
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (90 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $150 Illinois state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Illinois)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Operating agreement
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Illinois LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in Illinois. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Illinois?
The state filing fee is $150. The annual report fee is $75. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee. LLCs are not subject to the Illinois corporate franchise tax.
Does Illinois have a franchise tax?
Illinois LLCs are not subject to the corporate franchise tax. The Illinois Business Corporation Act franchise tax applies only to corporations (with the first $10,000 of liability exempt as of Jan 1, 2025), so for an LLC the main ongoing cost is the $75 annual report fee.
When is the Illinois annual report due?
The annual report is due before the first day of the month in which your LLC was formed. The filing fee is $75. Late filings can result in dissolution.
Is Chicago good for startups?
Yes. Chicago has a thriving startup ecosystem with growing venture capital investment, numerous incubators and accelerators, and access to talent from top universities like Northwestern, University of Chicago, and Illinois Tech.
Can I file my Illinois LLC online?
Yes, you can file Articles of Organization online through the Illinois Secretary of State's CyberDrive system. Online filing is the most convenient method.
What taxes do Illinois LLCs pay?
Illinois has a combined corporate income tax rate of 9.5% (7% income tax + 2.5% replacement tax). Single-member LLCs are typically taxed as pass-through entities. Illinois also has a 6.25% state sales tax.
Illinois government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC services
Official Illinois state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$25 to reserve an available name for 90 days across all entity types (LLC 1.15, BCA 4.10, NFP 104.10 each $25).
Flat per-document fee, not per-page.
$2 per document, same fee for an Apostille or a Certificate of Authentication.
No registration fee - the Illinois Dept of Revenue issues the Certificate of Registration free (the official pages describe registration with no fee.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Illinois LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Illinois LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $150 Illinois state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 5-10 business days.
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