Starting an Illinois LLC requires appointing a registered agent and submitting your Articles of Organization, along with adhering to annual report obligations. This guide outlines the key steps to starting an LLC in Illinois and ensuring a solid legal footing for your business.
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Ready to launch your business as a limited liability company (LLC)? Illinois is a great place to do so. With its vast population, high-caliber universities, and vibrant culture, this state offers ambitious entrepreneurs a ton of opportunities.
To create an Illinois limited liability company, you’ll need to follow certain steps. And if you want to get the liability protection of an LLC while avoiding costly fines or delays, you’ll need to complete those steps carefully and correctly.
That said, the thought of trying to form a business may make you cringe harder than hearing someone pronounce your state’s name as “Illi-noise.” But don’t worry. We’re here to guide you through the entire process, step by step.
Along the way, we’ll even explore how our services can handle much of this process for you, and help to cut through the red tape. That way, you can focus on what you do best: running your business.
To form an LLC, you need to:
Below, we’ll show you how to start an Illinois LLC with six key steps. We’ll also include lots of helpful information to help you position your new business for success.
Note that these guidelines are for a domestic LLC, which is one started in the same state in which you reside. A foreign LLC is one that originated in a different state. To register a foreign LLC in Illinois, you would need to file an Application for Admission to Transact Business and follow a different process.
The first step is to name your Illinois LLC. Your business name provides potential customers and investors with their first impression of your brand. Be sure to choose a name that conveys the image you want to project, and one that you’ll want to stick with long-term.
In addition to choosing a name that works well for your brand, you also need to follow Illinois LLC naming rules and requirements.
Under Illinois state law, an LLC name must contain one of the following designators (separate and apart from any other words or abbreviations):
Note that, unlike most states, Illinois does not allow LLC business names to include the abbreviations “Ltd.” or “Co.”
The name of your LLC also cannot have a name that makes it sound like a corporation or limited partnership. That means the words “Corporation,” “Co.,” “Corp.,” “Incorporated,” “Inc.,” “Limited Partnership,” or “LP” aren’t allowed in your business name.
Your business name must be distinguishable from any other company name on record with the Illinois Secretary of State. Use our Illinois business entity search page to check online and see if your desired business name is available. (Note: In Illinois, the name of an administratively dissolved LLC is not available for use by another business until three years have passed following the notice of dissolution issuance date.)
Your Illinois LLC name can’t contain any word or phrase that implies that it’s a government agency or organized for the purpose of:
Finally, any words that can be considered offensive are restricted from being used in an Illinois LLC name. For more naming guidelines, check with the Secretary of State’s Department of Business Services.
If you’re naming a professional LLC (an LLC organized for specific professional services like law, medicine, and other licensed industries), then you’ll have a few other naming requirements to adhere to. Most of the naming regulations are pretty similar to the ones we’ve discussed above. But you’ll need to include a different designator: “professional limited liability company,” “PLLC,” or “P.L.L.C.” are all acceptable designators for a PLLC.
Finally, your name can’t include any word or phrase that implies your PLLC is authorized to be in the business of a corporate fiduciary unless permitted by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation under Illinois law. Note that ZenBusiness doesn’t currently provide business formations for PLLCs.
Found the perfect business name, but aren’t quite ready to start your LLC? You can reserve your name for up to 90 days instead. That way, no one else can take it before you’re ready to officially form.
To reserve your business name in Illinois, you’ll need to file form LLC-1.15.
A huge part of running a successful brand today is being available online. That’s why it’s also a good idea to make sure your desired name is also available as a URL. For example, if your first business name choice isn’t available as a domain name, but your second choice is, that could sway your decision.
Note: You may also want to check for available social media handles that align with your desired business name and snag them before anyone else does.
If you want to conduct business under a different moniker than your official company name, you’ll need an Illinois assumed business name. Assumed business names also need to be registered with the Secretary of State.
An assumed business name is often used when an LLC wants to do things like sell/launch new product lines or open a store without having to form a whole new business entity.
Examples of when a DBA would be used include:
Note: Assumed business names are also known as “doing business as” (DBA) names, fictitious business names, or trade names in other states.
Even if the Secretary of State database shows that your desired LLC name is available, that doesn’t mean you’re clear to use it. Business names can be trademarked at both the state and federal levels.
That’s why it’s also a good idea to check with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. By using the website’s search engine, you can check to see if your desired name has already been federally trademarked.
For state-level trademarks and service marks, you can check with the Illinois Secretary of State.
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All LLCs in Illinois are required to have a registered agent. A registered agent is an individual or or business entity who receives important legal notices on behalf of your business.
Your Illinois registered agent must:
A registered agent’s responsibilities include:
Legally, you can serve as your own LLC’s registered agent, but there are several reasons why this isn’t the best idea. Just two of the pitfalls include:
Many LLC owners opt to use a professional registered agent service. The benefits of registered agent services like ours include:
A professional service can go a long way toward giving you peace of mind and more freedom to focus on running your business. Use our Illinois registered agent services to keep your LLC organized and compliant with the state’s requirements.
If your registered agent office address can’t be reached, you could incur the wrath of the state. Failure to maintain a registered agent could even result in the forced dissolution of your LLC.
Not having a dependable registered agent address on file could also result in you not receiving notice that your business is being sued or has had legal action taken against it.
That’s why acting as your own registered agent or asking a friend or family member to do so can be risky.
The next step is to file Articles of Organization. Your Illinois Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5) are the formation documents that officially register your LLC. To form your LLC, you’ll file these documents with the Illinois Secretary of State Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division, and pay your filing fee ($153). You can file your Articles of Organization via mail, in person, or by completing the online application.
If you choose to mail your documents, send them to:
Secretary of StateDepartment of Business ServicesLimited Liability Division501 S. Second St., Rm. 351Springfield, IL 62756
Your Articles of Organization should include the following:
Illinois requires all Articles of Organization to be submitted in duplicate and all responses to be typed or printed in black ink.
If you’re forming an Illinois PLLC, you’ll use the same Articles of Organization form and the same process in general, with a couple of exceptions. For your name, you’ll need to use the designator Professional Limited Liability Company, PLLC, or P.L.L.C. You’ll also need to specify the professional service or related professional services your PLLC will be providing.
An LLC can be formed by one or more organizers. An organizer can be an individual who is over the age of 18, or a business entity. Each individual acting as an organizer must sign the Articles of Organization. The names of each organizer must also be typed or printed in the correct section.
If a business entity acts as an organizer, the exact name of the business must be provided, as well as the typed or printed name and the signature of the individual acting on behalf of the entity.
The Secretary of State generally takes approximately 10 days to process and approve Illinois Articles of Organization. However, you can also expedite your filing to 24-hour service (excluding weekends and holidays) for an additional fee. Visit the ilsos.gov website for more information on filing your LLC Articles of Organization.
You only need to file your Articles of Organization once. But if you need to make changes later (such as changing your registered agent address), you’ll need to file LLC Articles of Amendment.
If you do need to file an amendment, we have an amendment filing service that can handle it for you as well. Our Worry-Free Compliance service also includes two amendment filings per year.
Illinois is also one of the few states that allow Series LLCs. A Series LLC is when you register a main LLC, as well as one or more off-shoot LLCs. A common example of when Series LLCs are applicable is when an entrepreneur owns multiple rental properties and wishes to separate the liability of each property.
Note: We do not offer formation of Series LLCs at this time.
Recommended: Creating a Rental Property LLC in Illinois
The next step is to create an Illinois operating agreement. While not required by Illinois state law, an operating agreement lays out how your LLC will be run.
The benefits of an LLC operating agreement are extensive. They include:
Your operating agreement should include all pertinent details about how your business will be run, such as:
Trying to brainstorm every little thing you need to include in your operating agreement can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re starting from scratch. That’s why we offer an operating agreement template to help get you started.
Owners of single-member LLCs often wonder if they need an operating agreement, since they are the only owner.
The simple answer is that operating agreements are still helpful. For starters, potential investors, future business partners, and others may want to see your operating agreement.
Furthermore, having an operating agreement could help you out if someone takes you to court to claim that you and your LLC are actually the same entity (and thus go after your personal assets). That’s because, without operating agreements, single-member LLCs tend to look more like sole proprietorships in the eyes of the court. But by creating an operating agreement, you show the court that you’ve taken the time to draw up official internal documents for your business. This helps to further separate your business entity from you as an individual.
Finally, you need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is also known as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN). Much like a Social Security number (SSN) does for individuals or sole proprietors, your EIN identifies your business to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Small business owners need this number to do things like pay business taxes, open a business bank account, or hire employees.
One of the biggest benefits to forming an LLC is the business structure’s flexibility. From management structure to day-to-day operations, LLCs have a lot of leeway in how they are run.
This flexibility is also apparent in how the business structure is taxed. By default, LLCs are usually taxed as either a sole proprietorship (for single-member LLCs) or a general partnership (for multi-member LLCs). However, LLC owners can also opt to be taxed as a C corp or S corp.
Being taxed as a C corp means you’re subject to double taxation. That said, this option can still save certain LLC owners money by qualifying them for a wide range of tax deductions. For example, insurance premiums can be written off as a tax deduction when filing as a C corp.
On the other hand, filing as an S corp (which is short for “Subchapter S Corporation”) offers both pass-through taxation and the potential to save money on self-employment taxes. It does this by allowing you to be an “employee-owner” and split your income into your salary and your share of the company’s profits. Then, you’ll pay self-employment taxes on your salary but not your profits. (You’ll still have to meet the rest of your tax obligations for your profits, of course.)
That said, the IRS scrutinizes S corps closely, and qualifying to file as one is more difficult because of the additional restrictions. You’re also more likely to get audited as an S corp.
While it’s possible that one of these scenarios will work for you, it’s no secret that taxes are complicated. You should consult with a tax professional before making any decisions for your business.
There’s a very good chance that your Illinois LLC will need at least one license or permit. But it’s not quite as simple as saying, “File this form with the Illinois Secretary of State.” For this step, you’ll need to do a little bit of research.
For starters, some LLCs need to get federal licenses. For example, suppose you’re crafting a signature Malört liqueur. In that case, you’d need to get a license from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau since you’d be manufacturing and selling alcohol. Meanwhile, businesses in aviation would need to get a license from the Federal Aviation Administration. If your LLC involves a heavily regulated activity, there’s a good chance you’ll need a federal license, but it’s your responsibility to research and know for sure. Some of these licenses repeat at the state level, too.
Next, you’ll have to check state-level licenses. Unlike some states, Illinois doesn’t have a general business license that’s administered at the state level. That said, almost all businesses will need to complete the Business Tax Registration process with the Illinois Department of Revenue. This registration will help you get your sales tax permit.
You’ll also have to address local licenses at the county or city level. In many cases, this is where the general business license can come into play; many cities or counties require one. For example, the city of Chicago requires all businesses to get a city license, but the exact license type varies depending on the business’s activities. In contrast, the town of Springfield doesn’t have a blanket business license; it only requires licenses for specific activities.
You may need to get zoning permits. And if you’re working in your home, you may need to get a home occupation permit from your city or county, too. Ultimately, you’ll need to check with your local government to know what the requirements are in your area.
Last but not least, you’ll need to research licenses for your industry or profession. For example, audiologists, design firms, genetic counselors, security contractors, and other professionals all need to get licenses that are administered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Similarly, restaurants need to get health permits for food service and alcohol permits if they have a bar. And the list could go on.
Long story short: you’ll need to do plenty of research to ensure you get all of the licenses that apply to your unique business — your unique industry, services, and business location.
If that sounds overwhelming, don’t panic. Our business license report can reduce that research workload for you. Just answer a few simple questions about your business, and our partners at Avalara will create a customized report showing exactly which licenses and permits you need, including filing instructions.
For Illinois professional LLCs, licenses and permits are of extreme importance; you need to have all the licenses required for your industry, and so does every employee who helps administer your PLLC’s service. To get started on researching your licenses, please consult the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Plus, keep in mind that you might need to get additional local licenses in the county or city where you operate. Use our business license report services to ensure you get all necessary permits and licenses.
Congratulations on successfully forming your LLC in Illinois! As your business venture takes shape, there are crucial next steps to ensure ongoing compliance and operational efficiency. Here’s a guide to help you navigate post-formation tasks:
File an annual report: In Illinois, LLCs are required to file an Illinois annual report with the Secretary of State. The report confirms your LLC’s current information, including the registered agent and office address. It’s typically due each year by the first day of your LLC’s anniversary month. Failure to file on time can result in penalties and even dissolution of your LLC, so mark your calendar.
Open a business bank account: One of the major benefits of forming an LLC is the separation of your personal assets and business assets. In order to get the most out of this benefit, it’s important that you avoid commingling funds. That’s why you’ll want to open a business bank account for managing the finances of your LLC in Illinois.
ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
Pay state taxes: Comply with state tax obligations. Depending on your business activities, this may include sales tax, employment tax, or other state-level taxes. Ensure you understand the specific tax requirements for your industry and location.
Maintain records: Keep thorough and organized records of your LLC’s financial transactions, contracts, and important documents. This not only ensures compliance but also helps with business decision-making and financial planning.
Update changes promptly: If your LLC undergoes changes such as a new address, members, or registered agent, update this information with the Illinois Secretary of State promptly to avoid potential complications.
Seek professional advice: Consulting with legal and financial professionals can provide valuable insights into your LLC’s ongoing compliance and growth strategies. They can help you navigate the intricacies of Illinois business regulations and tax requirements.
If you’re thinking of forming an LLC in Illinois, there are actually a couple of different types available, each suited to different business needs.
If you’re a solo dreamer in the Prairie State, then a single-member LLC might be a perfect fit. With this structure, you take charge as the sole owner while also enjoying the liability shield that LLCs offer.
If you have one or more friends or family members excited to start a business with you, then a multi-member LLC could be a great way to team up with security. A multi-member LLC helps ensure each member’s input is valued while splitting profits, losses, and responsibilities according to the agreed terms.
A professional limited liability company (PLLC) is made for licensed professionals such as doctors, engineers, and attorneys. It provides liability protection while meeting professional licensing requirements. PLLCs do not shield members from personal malpractice claims but protect against claims made against other members.
For entrepreneurs eyeing Illinois for their LLC, the state not only offers a welcoming business environment but also several tax incentives and advantages. Let’s delve into what these entail:
Illinois has expanded its business incentives in 2023, designed to attract and support job creators and business growth. Among these are the $400 Million Closing Fund, offering discretionary cash assistance for significant investments, and a range of incentive programs such as REV Illinois and EDGE, which provide enhanced benefits for eligible businesses.
A key benefit of Illinois LLCs is pass-through taxation. Profits are taxed at the individual level, bypassing double taxation. This often results in lower tax rates compared to corporate taxes and simplifies the tax filing process.
LLC earnings are subject to Illinois’s flat state income tax rate of 4.95%. This rate applies to all, making tax planning more straightforward. LLC owners can also leverage standard deductions and tax credits, which can lead to further tax savings.
If your LLC sells goods or services, you’ll need to collect Illinois’s 6.25% state sales tax. In cities like Chicago, local sales taxes are additional. It’s crucial for businesses to manage these tax responsibilities effectively.
Illinois is in the process of phasing out its franchise tax by 2025. Currently, the tax is set at 0.1% of paid-in capital, with the first $100,000 exempted. This change is particularly beneficial for smaller businesses.
For larger LLCs with net Illinois income over $250,000, the Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPR) applies. This tax is calculated at a rate of 1.5% for partnerships, trusts, and S corporations, based on the current value of personal property.
These incentives and advantages make Illinois a tax-efficient option for LLC formation. While offering a flexible business structure, Illinois also provides opportunities to optimize your tax situation. For more detailed information, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website for Business Incentives at illinois.gov and consult a tax professional to best understand how these benefits apply to your business scenario.
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From Chicago to Springfield, the start of Route 66 to S. Second St., Illinois is a splendid state that offers tons of opportunity to budding entrepreneurs. Ready to turn your dream into a reality? We offer fast, accurate online formation for your LLC in Illinois.
Plus, there’s no need to dread the formation process. We’re here to reduce your stress by taking care of formation, compliance, and more. Plus, our services provide long-term support to help you start, run, and grow your business.
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The state fees for forming an LLC in Illinois start at $153 to file your Articles of Organization. You may also pay other fees depending on factors such as your method of filing and whether you choose to have your filing expedited. Keep in mind that fees change over time, so you should check the Illinois Secretary of State website for the most recent fee schedule. You also don’t have to do it alone. We can help you through these steps to start an LLC in Illinois at an affordable price.
Many new business owners opt to form LLCs because this type of company allows you to separate your personal assets and liabilities from your company’s. LLCs offer many protections to anyone starting a business, with fairly minimal requirements. Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits you’ll enjoy by establishing your company as an LLC in the Prairie State:
Want more information on the LLC business structure? Check out our comprehensive guide to LLCs.
As stated above, Illinois LLCs are exempt from double taxation (unless filing as a corporation), but there are a few more things to know about your Illinois business taxes. Managing your LLC’s taxes can seem overwhelming, but partnering with an experienced accountant can help ensure you’re compliant with all Illinois tax laws. Let’s take a look at some of the federal and state tax laws for LLCs in Illinois:
It can take up to 10 days to process your Articles of Organization, whether you file online, by mail, or in person. Many filings are approved much sooner, but you can speed the process up by paying for expedited processing.
An operating agreement is not required by Illinois law to operate an LLC. However, your operating agreement is an important document that can save you from conflicts in the future. Keep your operating agreement with your LLC’s other important legal documents.
A limited liability partnership (LLP) in Illinois is a business structure that combines features of a traditional partnership and limited liability protection. It allows professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and architects to form a partnership while limiting their personal liability for the partnership’s debts and liabilities. In an LLP, each partner is generally not personally responsible for the actions or debts of other partners in the partnership, and their personal assets are shielded from certain business-related obligations and legal claims. However, an LLP does not provide complete protection from personal liability, particularly for a partner’s own professional negligence or malpractice. Read more on limited liability partnership definition.
LLC owners usually decide to have their business taxed the default way, which is as a sole proprietorship (for single-member LLCs) or a general partnership (for multi-member LLCs). This method only requires owners to pay federal income taxes on their percentage of the profits on their personal tax returns. The LLC itself is not taxed. This avoids the “double taxation” that corporate shareholders pay, in which profits are taxed both at the business level and the personal level. In some instances, it might be advantageous to have your LLC taxed as a corporation. If you aren’t sure which tax filing structure works best for your limited liability company, reach out to a qualified accountant or tax specialist for help.
Most LLCs are “member-managed,” meaning that the members (owners) share in the responsibilities and decision-making for the company. Some LLCs instead prefer to be “manager-managed.” In these cases, LLC members appoint or hire one or more managers to run the company. The manager(s) can be one or more members of the LLC or someone hired from outside the LLC. Many business owners enjoy forming LLCs because they can create an organizational structure that best fits their needs.
Some states allow business owners to form what is known as a Illinois series LLC. This term refers to a group of LLCs that are nested under one parent LLC. This type of structure can be appealing to many business owners, entrepreneurs, or investors. However, not all states allow series LLCs. In Illinois, you can create a Series LLC. When establishing a Series LLC, you’ll need to file your Articles of Organization (from step three) specifically for a Series LLC. You can find more details on creating a Series LLC in the Illinois Secretary of State’s Guide for Organizing Domestic Limited Liability Companies.
When you start an LLC in Illinois, there’s no statewide general business license, but some local governments require one. There are also federal, state, local, and industry-specific business licenses and permits your business may need to legally operate, so you’ll need to do some research or hire a service to research them for you. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do all this research, or if you just want the peace of mind to know that your business has all the licenses and permits it’s legally required to have, our business license report service can do the work for you. The insurance your business will need depends on a variety of factors, such as whether you have employees or have company vehicles. Contact the Illinois Department of Insurance for more information on LLC business insurance and licenses.
First of all, you’ll need to follow the rules established in your operating agreement for dissolving your business. When you’re ready to dissolve your Illinois LLC, you’ll also need to submit a Statement of Termination form in duplicate to the Secretary of State. For the subsequent steps, please refer to our Illinois business dissolution guide.
Generally, an Illinois PLLC needs to be formed by professions from the same fields with the same licenses. The exceptions come for professions that fall under the same category, such as architects and professional engineers; professions in the same category can sometimes form a PLLC together. For a full list of what services can form PLLCs together, check out the Illinois Professional Corporation Act.
A registered agent in Illinois is responsible for receiving legal documents as well as certified mail from the Secretary of State, and ZenBusiness offers this service for an annual fee of $199.
No, you must list a physical street address.
The cost of the ZenBusiness Pro plan for LLC formation in Illinois is $199 per year. This does not include the state filing fee.
The ZenBusiness Pro Plan in Illinois includes LLC filing, Worry-Free Compliance service, operating agreement template, EIN number, 100% accuracy guarantee, and our fastest filing speed.
You can obtain an EIN for your LLC in Illinois through the IRS, and ZenBusiness can assist with the process.
The cost of the ZenBusiness Premium plan for LLC formation in Illinois is $299 per year. This does not include the state filing fee.
The Premium plan for LLC formation in Illinois includes everything in the Pro plan, plus a website domain with privacy protection, business email hosting, a business document template library, and premium support.
The cost of the registered agent service in Illinois is $199 per year.
Yes, you can form an LLC in Illinois even if you are not a U.S. citizen.
No, you cannot form an LLC in Illinois for free. The Illinois Secretary of State charges a mandatory $153 filing fee for Articles of Organization.
Additional costs include the $75 annual report fee and potentially $25-$100 for name reservation or expedited processing ($100).
While newspaper publication requirements were eliminated years ago, you may need to budget for a registered agent service if you don’t want to serve as your own. The state filing fee is unavoidable.
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 850,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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