Skip to content
LLC SchoolhousePlain LLC lessons, one state at a time.

Module 1 · Illinois

How to Start an LLC in Illinois (2026): a 7-Step Lesson and the 3 Best LLC Services

Here is who we would send a new founder to for setting up an LLC in Illinois in 2026: Mainstay Filing ($199), Illinois Registered Agent.co ($199) and IL Registered Agent.org ($199), in grade order. Take it in 7 steps: the state charges $150 to file and wants the Limited Liability Company Annual Report every year.

Taught by the LLC Schoolhouse editors

The short version

Formation fee$150ilsos.gov confirms it, as of October 2026
Limited Liability Company Annual Report$75 a yearThe state words the due date this way: before the first day of the entity's anniversary month
State fees over three years$300Formation, reports and any minimum tax
Steps7From start to finish

You will be able to

  • How much Illinois charges to form an LLC, and who receives the filing
  • How to meet the registered agent rule
  • The yearly upkeep
  • The services we recommend

Our graded picks for Illinois

The order follows five published criteria; read how we grade for the details.
First choice

1. Mainstay Filing: best for one bill for filing and upkeep

$199 yearly, renewing at $199

Mainstay Filing earns the highest mark because one yearly price of $199 does three lesson steps for you: the filing, the registered agent and the annual report.

Illinois Registered Agent.co is $200 less across three years; handling more of the lesson's steps earns this one the higher mark.

Each Limited Liability Company Annual Report is filed on your behalf (state fee $75, at cost).

What the price covers

  • The formation filing
  • Registered agent for twelve months
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application
  • State fee added at cost

Marks in its favor

  • It takes care of the EIN application
  • Renews at $199
  • $199 a year pays for filing and agent and report

Where it loses points

  • Renews $100 higher than Illinois Registered Agent.co
Local choice

2. Illinois Registered Agent.co: best for an inexpensive Illinois start

$199 to start, $99 a year from year two

Illinois Registered Agent.co is a sound second choice because formation costs $199 beyond the state fee, and the agent renews at $99.

You file the Limited Liability Company Annual Report on your own every year.

What the price covers

  • Your Illinois formation is prepared and filed
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • The first agent year is included
  • $199 and the state fee
  • $99 yearly from year two

Where it loses points

  • You file the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra
Local choice

3. IL Registered Agent.org: best for LLCs that stay in Illinois

$199 to start, $99 a year from year two

IL Registered Agent.org is a sound third choice because formation costs $199 beyond the state fee, and the agent renews at $99.

You file the Limited Liability Company Annual Report on your own every year.

On price it is level with Illinois Registered Agent.co.

What the price covers

  • Your Illinois formation is prepared and filed
  • The first year of agent service

Marks in its favor

  • The first agent year is included
  • $199 and the state fee
  • $99 yearly from year two

Where it loses points

  • You file the Limited Liability Company Annual Report
  • The EIN application costs $99 extra

Our Illinois picks side by side

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Illinois Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Illinois Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3IL Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit IL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Prices come from each company's own site, read November 13, 2026. The $150 state fee is extra in every row.

Forming the LLC in order

  1. Step
    1

    Pick a name and make sure it is free

    Use the business search at the Illinois Secretary of State to see whether another Illinois company already holds your name; a clash can get the filing sent back.

    A backup name helps if the first one is taken.

  2. Step
    2

    Name a registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. An Illinois resident, or a business authorized to do business in Illinois. The LLC cannot act as its own agent.

    The address has to be a registered office in Illinois that matches the agent's business office. A P.O. box alone is not accepted.

    Every pick on our list includes a registered agent.

    Where this comes from: ilga.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  3. Step
    3

    Will you file it yourself or use a service?

    You can file on your own and pay the state $150, or let a service do it for $199 more; the grades are above.

  4. Step
    4

    Turn in the Articles of Organization

    When the Illinois Secretary of State accepts the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5) together with $150 (805 ILCS 180/5-5), the LLC exists.

    Where this comes from: ilsos.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

  5. Step
    5

    Ask the IRS for an EIN

    With the Illinois approval in hand, ask the IRS for an EIN so the LLC can open accounts in its own name. The EIN application is one of the things Mainstay Filing does for you.

  6. Step
    6

    Sign an operating agreement

    Think of the operating agreement as the LLC's rulebook: who owns what, kept by you and not sent to the state.

  7. Step
    7

    Look ahead to year two

    Once a year the LLC files the Limited Liability Company Annual Report and pays $75; the due date is before the first day of the entity's anniversary month. A late filing costs $100 more.

    Where this comes from: ilsos.gov confirms it, as of October 2026

What you will pay

WhatPayeeAmount
The formation stepPaid to the state$150
Limited Liability Company Annual ReportPaid to the state$75 every year
Late reportPaid to the state$100
A service, if you use oneService$199 for year one
Three years of state feesPaid to the state$300
State fees come from the official sources listed in the references. For three years we count the filing, two years of reports and the minimum tax where it applies.

How the grade worked out

won on homework the price handles (33% of the grade), with right behind.

The Limited Liability Company Annual Report step tipped the grade toward the bundle.

Common questions

What is the price of forming a Illinois LLC?

$150 goes to the state. A service from our graded list adds $199 in year one.

Which form creates the LLC?

It is the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5), and you hand it to the Illinois Secretary of State.

Is a registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

What does Illinois require each year?

The yearly task is the Limited Liability Company Annual Report ($75, every year, due before the first day of the entity's anniversary month).

Can I form the LLC without a service?

It is allowed. Do the filing on your own for $150 and line up a registered agent as well.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing, Illinois Registered Agent.co and IL Registered Agent.org, graded from first to last.

More lessons

Class references

  1. Homework check for Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services: the facts come from ilsos.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  2. Homework check for Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services: the facts come from ilsos.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  3. Homework check for 805 ILCS 180/5-5: the facts come from ilga.gov, a page we last confirmed in August 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  4. Homework check for Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from ilga.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  5. Homework check for Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source: the facts come from ilsos.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  6. Homework check for Illinois registered agent statute: the facts come from ilga.gov, a page we last confirmed in October 2026, so you can compare our notes to the original.
  7. On November 13, 2026 we read the Illinois service page of Mainstay Filing
  8. On November 13, 2026 we read the pricing page of Illinois Registered Agent.co
  9. On November 13, 2026 we read the pricing page of IL Registered Agent.org