Illinois LLC cost (2026)
Startup, filing, and ongoing fees for a Illinois LLC — with a full breakdown, a five-year projection, and a free calculator that's already set to Illinois.
Last reviewed: June 2026
How much does an LLC cost in Illinois?
Forming an LLC in Illinois costs $150 to file your Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State — roughly in line with the national average (the national average is about $129), which ranks Illinois the 38th cheapest of 51 states to file in. Do it yourself and a realistic first-year total lands near $225; hire a registered agent and budget around $350.
Beyond the one-time filing fee, Illinois charges about $75 for its annual report — so the honest cost of an Illinois LLC is the filing fee plus that recurring amount every year. Remember that these are formation and compliance costs only — Illinois's state income tax on your pass-through profit is separate. The full breakdown, a five-year projection, and a personalized estimator are below.
Illinois LLC cost breakdown (2026)
Every cost of forming and maintaining a Illinois LLC — what's required, what's optional, and what each item runs.
| Cost | Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $150 | One-time | One-time, paid to the Secretary of State when you form the LLC. |
| Annual report | $75/yr | Recurring | Illinois requires an annual report ($75). |
| Registered agent | $0–$125/yr | Optional | Free if you act as your own agent; a service adds privacy and reliability. |
| Operating agreement | $0–$200 | Optional | Free with a DIY template, or more through a legal service. |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | Free | One-time | Issued directly by the IRS — never pay a third party for this. |
What a Illinois LLC really costs: 3 scenarios
The right number depends on how much you do yourself. Here's the realistic first-year cost for the three most common approaches.
$150 filing + $75 ongoing. You act as your own registered agent and use a free EIN and operating-agreement template.
Adds ~$125/yr for a registered agent service — the usual choice for privacy or if you're often away from your Illinois address.
A formation company files for you and bundles the agent; base packages are often $0 + the $150 state fee, with paid tiers for extras.
5-year cost of a Illinois LLC
One-time fees are easy to forget once you're running. Here's the cumulative cost of a Illinois LLC over five years, assuming you use a registered agent service (~$200/yr ongoing).
| Period | Cost that year | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $350 | $350 |
| Year 2 | $200 | $550 |
| Year 3 | $200 | $750 |
| Year 4 | $200 | $950 |
| Year 5 | $200 | $1,150 |
Acting as your own registered agent removes the ~$125/yr agent line, lowering the five-year total to about $525.
Illinois LLC cost calculator
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Can you lower the cost?
The two biggest levers are being your own registered agent (saves ~$125/yr) and getting your EIN free from the IRS instead of paying for it. If you operate in Illinois, forming here is usually cheapest overall — forming in another state typically forces you to register (and pay) in Illinois anyway.
Compare Illinois costs with other statesFrequently asked questions
The core cost is the $150 Illinois filing fee for your Articles of Organization. A do-it-yourself first year totals about $225; adding a registered agent service brings it to roughly $350. An EIN from the IRS is free.
Related guides
This tool provides educational estimates and general guidance only. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources or consult a qualified professional before making decisions.
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