State Guide
Illinois LLC Formation
Complete guides for forming and operating an LLC in Illinois.
Guides
Business License Requirements in IllinoisIllinois does not require a single statewide general business license. Instead, you must navigate multiple licensing authorities depending on your business t...Illinois Corporation CostsEvery Illinois corporation must file an annual report each year before the first day of its anniversary month (the month in which it was incorporated). The a...Illinois Corporation TaxesYou file **Articles of Incorporation** with the Illinois Secretary of State to form a domestic corporation under 805 ILCS 5/2.10. The formation fee is **$150...How to File a DBA in IllinoisFiling location depends entirely on your business structure. **Sole proprietors file at the county level**: you submit your DBA application to the county cle...How to Form a Partnership in IllinoisIf you are forming a professional service firm (law, accounting, medicine), both **LLP** (Limited Liability Partnership) and **PLLC** (Professional Limited L...How to Incorporate in IllinoisIllinois requires every corporation to have at least one director. You must identify your director(s) before filing your Articles of Incorporation, and you m...How to Start a Nonprofit in IllinoisIllinois nonprofits operate under a distinct legal framework separate from for-profit business entities. Unlike LLCs or corporations formed under the Illinoi...How to Start an LLC in IllinoisIllinois offers a straightforward path to LLC formation under the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act (805 ILCS 180/). You'll file Articles of Organizatio...Illinois LLC Annual ReportYour annual report is due before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month each year. Your anniversary month is the month in which you originally organiz...Illinois LLC CostIllinois's **$150** formation fee is moderate among Midwest states. Your first-year total—**$225** (formation + first annual report)—is reasonable. The criti...Illinois LLC Name RulesYour Illinois LLC name must include one of three required designators: **Limited Liability Company**, **LLC**, or **L.L.C.** under 805 ILCS 180/1-10. This de...Illinois LLC Operating AgreementNo. Illinois does not legally require you to adopt a written operating agreement for your LLC. Under 805 ILCS 180/15-5, the Illinois Limited Liability Compan...Illinois LLC TaxesYour Illinois tax obligation depends on how your LLC is taxed federally. If you're a single-member LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship, you pay individual Ill...Professional License Requirements in IllinoisIllinois requires professional licenses for dozens of occupations and professions. If you operate a licensed profession in Illinois, you must obtain credenti...Illinois Registered AgentYour registered office must be located at a physical street address in Illinois under **805 ILCS 180/1-50**. You cannot use a post office box as your registe...How to Start a Sole Proprietorship in IllinoisYou must file a DBA (doing business as) with your county clerk or recorder if you operate under any name other than your legal name. This filing is mandatory...
Entity Comparisons
LLC vs C-Corporation in IllinoisLLC vs DBA in IllinoisLLC vs Limited Partnership in IllinoisLLC vs Nonprofit in IllinoisLLC vs General Partnership in IllinoisLLC vs PLLC in IllinoisLLC vs S-Corporation in IllinoisLLC vs Sole Proprietorship in IllinoisS-Corporation vs C-Corporation in IllinoisSingle-Member LLC vs Multi-Member LLC in Illinois