Cost guide

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Illinois?

Filing it yourself, a Illinois LLC costs $150 to start (about $225 in year one) — everything else on the typical "LLC cost" list is either free or optional. Here's the honest breakdown.

Not legal advice. Open Legal Aid is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. Our guides and tools offer general legal information and self-help documents only, and using them does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws vary by state and change over time — for advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.

Item	Cost	Required?
Articles of Organization filing fee	$150	Yes — one-time
Annual report / state tax	$75/year	Yes — recurring
EIN (federal tax ID)	$0	Free from the IRS — never pay for this
Operating agreement	$0	Recommended — use our free generator
Registered agent	$0 yourself, or ~$100–$150/yr for a service	Yes — but you can be your own
Formation service	$0–$300+	Optional — you can file yourself

Ongoing requirement in Illinois: $75 annual report, due before anniversary month. Typical processing: ~7–10 business days (expedite +$100). Figures are estimates — verify with the Illinois Secretary of State (or equivalent) before filing. Doesn't include business licenses, permits, or taxes on income.

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