How to Start an LLC in Illinois

Learn how to form an LLC in Illinois

It’s easy to form an LLC in Illinois online yourself. Just follow these steps:

  1. Name Your LLC
  2. Choose a Registered Agent
  3. File the IL Articles of Organization
  4. Create an LLC Operating Agreement
  5. Get an EIN
  6. File a BOI Report

Or, use a trusted formation service:

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Starting an Illinois LLC Is Easy

You can apply for an Illinois LLC online by registering the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The cost to create an LLC in Illinois is $150.

You can file online or by mail. Follow our How to Start an LLC in Illinois guide below to get started.

For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, visit our How to Start an LLC guide.

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Step 1: Create A Name For Your Illinois LLC

Before you register your Illinois LLC, you’ll need to come up with a name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes.

Naming Your LLC

First, brainstorm some possibilities. Use our LLC name generator to get the ideas flowing.

Next, make sure your name meets Illinois guidelines:

  • it contains the words limited liability company, limited company, or the abbreviation LLC or L.L.C.
  • it doesn’t contain restricted words or phrases (these often include words like bank, attorney, and university) without approval
  • it’s distinguishable from any other entity or assumed name registered in Illinois
  • full list of Illinois naming guidelines

Next, do an Illinois LLC name search with the Secretary of State to find out if your name is available in Illinois.

If your business name is available and meets guidelines, you’ll be able to register it when you file your Illinois Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.

Is the URL available? Before you commit 100% to a name, check to see if there’s a good web domain available.

We recommend buying your domain right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it will be soon.

Domain Name Search

Using an Illinois Assumed Name (DBA)

An Illinois DBA (doing business as), also known as an assumed name, is any registered name that a business operates under that isn’t its legal business name. An assumed name can be used by any type of business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC).

Learn how to get a DBA in our Illinois DBA guide.

Step 2: Appoint An Illinois Registered Agent

When you file your Articles of Organization, you’ll need to list a registered agent. A registered agent’s job is to accept legal documents like service of process and tax notices for your LLC.

Your registered agent can be a person or a registered agent service. You can act as your own registered agent, but many business owners choose to use a registered agent service.

Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own registered agent:

  • You’ll need to be available during normal (9 am – 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide
  • If you run your business from home, you’ll have to make your personal address public
  • You could be served with a lawsuit in front of your family or coworkers

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Northwest offers a free year of registered agent services when you form your Illinois LLC ($29 plus state fees) with them.

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Step 3: File Articles of Organization

It’s time to officially form your LLC by filing your Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State.

You can file online with the Secretary of State or fill out a hard copy of Illinois Form LLC-5.5 and mail it in or deliver it in person. The filing fee is $150. 

You’ll need to know the following information to complete each Article:

  1. Entity Name and Address
  2. Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
  3. Business Purpose
  4. Governing Authority Type (LLC Management Structure)
  5. Effective Date and Duration

For more detailed help with completing the form, visit our Illinois Articles of Organization guide.

Mail Your Articles of Organization:

Send the form and payment (payable to the Secretary of State) to:

Secretary of State
Department of Business Services Limited Liability Division
501 S. Second St., Rm. 351
Springfield, IL 62756

How long does it take to get an Illinois LLC approved? LLC processing takes 10 days online or by mail, but can be expedited for an additional fee.

Step 4: Create An Illinois LLC Operating Agreement

Creating an Illinois LLC operating agreement is the only way to legally lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having an operating agreement in place will give you something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises. 

Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement.

Your operating agreement should outline the following:

  • Each member’s responsibilities
  • How new members will be admitted
  • How existing members may transfer or terminate their membership
  • How profits and dividends will be distributed

You can add as many provisions as you want, as long as they don’t conflict with Illinois law. Take a look at our What is an Operating Agreement guide to learn more.

Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool.

Step 5: Obtain An EIN (Employer Identification Number) For Your LLC

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. The IRS and the state of Illinois will use this number to track your business activity.

Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:

  • Open a business bank account
  • File Federal and State taxes
  • Hire employees

The best way to get an EIN for your LLC in Illinois is by using the free online application on the IRS website.

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Step 6: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

When forming an Illinois LLC, one of the important steps is to complete the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

This report — also known as the FinCEN BOI report — is designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities by requiring LLCs to disclose information about their beneficial owners.

This is free to file through the FinCEN website

New LLCs must complete this filing within 90 days of formation. Existing LLCs must file before January 1, 2025. 

Failure to complete this filing requirement will result in a $500 per day fine.

Steps After Forming an LLC in Illinois

After forming your Illinois LLC, it’s important to:

Open A Business Bank Account

A business bank account helps separate personal expenses and company expenses, which is required to maintain your Illinois LLC’s corporate veil. A corporate veil protects your personal assets from creditors in potential lawsuits against your LLC or Business.

Learn more by reading this guide to Banking for Entrepreneurs. For a multi-member LLC, you’ll also want to set up capital accounts for LLC members. We also recommend checking out our review of the best business bank accounts.

Get A Business Credit Card

A business credit card will help separate personal and business expenses while building your company’s credit history. A strong credit history will be useful for raising capital in the form of venture capital, angel investment, or small business loans.

Set Up Business Accounting

Hiring a business accountant is one of the best ways to ensure you’re taking advantage of LLC tax benefits; possibly saving you and your business thousands of dollars per year.

When forming an LLC in Illinois, it’s a good idea to start a relationship with a business accountant as soon as you start your business to help set your company up for success.

Get Business Insurance

Business insurance helps manage risk. The most common forms of business insurance are general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation.

Find out the real cost of getting insurance for your business. Get a free quote or call 855-965-3168.

Keep Your Company Compliant

Research Illinois Business Licenses and Permits

To operate an LLC in Illinois, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations such as health permits, building permits, and signage permits. 

Business licensing and permit requirements vary from state to state. To get started, visit our How to Get a Business License in Illinois guide. To help facilitate this process, you can also utilize a business license service.

File Your Illinois LLC Annual Report

Illinois LLCs must file an annual report each year with the Secretary of State. This can be done online through Cyberdrive Illinois or by filing Form LLC-50.1: Annual Report by mail or in person. The filing fee is $75.

Understand Illinois State Tax Requirements

Illinois businesses selling a physical product are generally required to register for a seller’s permit through the MyTax Illinois website. Visit our Illinois Sales Tax guide to learn more about seller’s permits and Illinois sales tax.

Additionally, if you have employees in Illinois, you will need to register for unemployment insurance tax and employee withholding tax through the MyTax Illinois website.

Understand Your Illinois LLC’s Federal Tax Requirements

Most Illinois LLCs will need to report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year using Form 1065 Partnership Return (multi-member LLCs) or Form 1040 Schedule C (single-member LLCs).

How you pay yourself will affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.

Know Your Illinois LLC’s Federal Tax Election Options

Pass-through taxation entails a business’s profits passing through to the LLC member’s individual tax returns. Like a sole proprietorship, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, also known as a disregarded entity. 

Once this process is completed and after any tax-deductible expenses are taken out, the LLC members pay self-employment taxes and income tax on their portion of the business income. 

Alternatively, Illinois LLCs can choose to elect to be taxed as an S corporation (S corp) or C corporation (C corp). If S corporation tax status is elected, LLC members can be taxed as employees of the business, potentially reducing tax burden.

More LLC Resources

  • Illinois Foreign LLCs: Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. Download the Illinois foreign LLC form to get started.
  • Illinois Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing verifies that your LLC was legally formed. To order, follow our Illinois certificate of good standing guide.
  • Dissolving an Illinois LLC: If you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Illinois LLC Dissolution Guide.
  • LLC Legal Forms: TRUiC offers a number of free LLC legal forms including operating agreements, LLC resolutions, and hiring documents.

Related Articles

Illinois LLC Name Search

Get an Illinois DBA

Start an Illinois Corporation

Form a Illinois Nonprofit

Illinois Woman-Owned Business Certification

LLC Cost in Illinois

Illinois Business Insurance

Article Sources

IL Secretary of State – Business Services

IL State Website – Business Resources

Illinois Department of Revenue – Business

IRS – Limited Liability Company (LLC)

SBA – Small Business Guide

SBA – Choose a Business Structure