Illinois structures its LLC filing fees around a $150 state fee for Articles of Organization, with both online and paper filings carrying the same cost. The state maintains a straightforward approach, and fee changes in Illinois are relatively rare, with the last major adjustment occurring in 2018 when the state dramatically reduced its LLC fees from $500 to the current $150.
These legislative changes typically happen only every few years and are announced well in advance, providing businesses with cost predictability for planning purposes.
Illinois keeps its formation costs transparent through the Secretary of State's office. The $150 fee applies whether you're forming a new LLC or registering an out-of-state entity to do business in Illinois, with no hidden processing charges or mandatory extras.
The $150 formation fee creates your LLC's legal existence in Illinois and remains constant regardless of the number of members or the complexity of your business structure. Online filing through the Secretary of State's portal provides faster processing and quicker access to confirmation once approved, while paper submissions face additional mail transit time on top of state processing.
Your ongoing compliance requires a $75 annual report due every year in the anniversary month of formation. Late filing carries a $100 penalty in addition to the standard fee, making timely submission crucial for maintaining good standing.
Illinois positions itself competitively within the Midwest region, though neighboring states like Michigan offer varying cost structures. Missouri leads with the lowest barrier to entry at just $50 for formation and no annual report fees, while Indiana charges $95 for formation with $50 annual reports. Wisconsin sits at $130 for formation and $25 annually.
Compared to the national average of approximately $100 for LLC formation fees, Illinois sits slightly higher but avoids the extreme costs found in states like Massachusetts ($500+ formation fees) or the steep franchise tax burdens of states like California.
Illinois offers solid value through its streamlined formation process, reliable online filing system, and predictable ongoing costs. The state's business-friendly regulatory environment and central location make the slightly higher fees worthwhile for many entrepreneurs, particularly those planning multi-state operations where Illinois serves as a strategic hub.
Beyond the core $150 formation fee, several optional charges might apply during your LLC's lifecycle in Illinois:
Commercial registered agent services typically cost $100-$300 annually, providing privacy protection and reliable document receipt. Legal counsel for complex formations ranges from $500-$2,000 depending on business structure and requirements.
Discern automates Illinois LLC compliance management by handling annual report filings, tracking amendment deadlines, and providing registered agent services with real-time compliance visibility across all your entities.
Our platform processes most filings in minutes while ensuring you never miss critical deadlines across all states where you operate. Ready to streamline your Illinois LLC management? Book a demo with Discern today.
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