Best 2026 Illinois LLC Formation Services
Last Updated: March 2026
Interested in starting a business in Illinois? Illinois is a major business hub anchored by Chicago, with a mid-range formation fee of $150, a $75 annual report, slower standard processing, and — importantly — no franchise tax after Illinois abolished it for LLCs. This guide covers what you need to know.
This guide covers:
- Illinois's specific requirements, including a $150 filing fee, $75 annual report, slower standard processing (10–15 business days), and $100 expedited option
- When national providers make sense versus local Illinois registered agents
- Direct comparisons of LLC Attorney, LegalZoom, Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and Bizee
- Which option fits your business based on your budget and growth plans
Whether you're starting a tech startup in Chicago, a professional services practice in the suburbs, a manufacturing company in the Chicago metro area, or a small business downstate, you'll know exactly what you're getting into with an Illinois LLC.
Understanding Illinois's Unique LLC Requirements
Illinois charges $150 to file Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State — a moderate formation fee. Standard processing takes 10–15 business days, which is slower than many states; however, expedited processing is available for an additional $100, bringing total state fees to $250 for faster filing. Illinois abolished its franchise tax on LLCs, removing a significant ongoing cost.
Articles of Organization. You file Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State. Standard processing takes 10–15 business days. Expedited processing (typically 1–2 business days) costs an additional $100 on top of the $150 filing fee — making the total state fee $250 for expedited service. Your registered agent must have a physical Illinois street address.
Franchise tax abolished. Illinois abolished its franchise tax on LLCs, removing a tax that previously cost LLC owners hundreds of dollars annually. This was a significant legislative change that makes Illinois more competitive for business formation and maintenance. LLCs now pay only the $75 annual report fee as their primary ongoing compliance cost.
$75 annual report. Illinois requires an annual report with a $75 fee, due before the anniversary month of your LLC's formation each year. At $75, this is higher than some states but below the $100–$138+ fees seen in states like Alaska, Florida, and Alabama. The annual report must be filed through the Illinois Secretary of State's online system.
Illinois does not require a written operating agreement by statute, but it is strongly recommended. Without one, Illinois's default LLC statutes govern your business. LLC Attorney can help you draft an operating agreement that protects you, your partners, and your personal assets.
Chicago business hub. Chicago is one of the largest business centers in the United States, with a diverse economy spanning finance, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services. Illinois LLCs benefit from access to major markets, financial institutions, talent pools, and infrastructure.
Illinois LLC Formation: The Basics
Before comparing services, here's what you're actually filing.
What you file: Articles of Organization with the Illinois Secretary of State. You must designate a registered agent with a physical Illinois street address.
State filing fee: $150 standard (one-time); $250 if choosing expedited processing ($150 + $100 expedite).
Standard processing: 10–15 business days standard; 1–2 business days with $100 expedited processing.
Using a professional registered agent keeps your home address off public records and ensures you receive legal documents and state notices properly. The slower standard processing makes it especially important to file promptly if you have a business deadline.
National vs Local Business Formation Providers
National Providers
Companies like LLC Attorney, LegalZoom, and Northwest Registered Agent operate nationwide. They're your best bet if you're planning to grow beyond Illinois, need extra support services, or think you might register in other states down the road.
National providers bundle in services beyond registered agent services; for instance, compliance calendars, annual report filing, tax election changes, document storage, and expert support. If you expand to multiple states, you can manage everything from one dashboard with one provider. Pricing runs from $125 to $249 per year. Northwest charges $125/year. LegalZoom is at the higher end with $249/year. LLC Attorney structures things differently by bundling registered agent service into their compliance plans starting at $14.99/month. That Standard plan includes mail scanning and access to professionally trained Business Success Advisors.
Local IL Providers
Local providers focus exclusively on in-state services. They primarily serve Illinois-only businesses seeking standalone registered agent services. While local providers are typically lower cost, they offer limited support beyond basic compliance services and cannot assist with multi-state operations.
Making Your Decision
Choose a local provider if:
- Your business is Illinois-only and will never expand to other states
- Cost is the primary factor and you want the lowest annual fee
- You don't need bundled services, just basic registered agent functionality
Choose a national provider if:
- You want bundled services like mail forwarding and document storage managed in one place
- You need scalability: one provider relationship and one dashboard for multiple or evolving businesses
- You prefer established support infrastructure with dedicated account representatives
- You value having legal or professional guidance available (business success advisors or access to attorneys)
- You anticipate business growth beyond Illinois, adding additional businesses, or may want to evolve your business into a more complex entity (such as transitioning from an LLC to a corporation)
Consider LLC Attorney specifically if you want professionally guided services with room to grow. View LLC Attorney pricing or see how Illinois LLC formation with first year registered agent service works.
Base Service Fee Comparison
Here's what each provider charges before you add anything else:
Main Pricing Comparison
| Provider | Starter/Basic Plan | Mid-Tier Plan | Premium Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Attorney | $49 + state fee | Professional: $199 + state fee | International+: $399 + state fee |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee | Pro: $199/yr | Premium: ~$349 (renews $399/yr) |
| Bizee | $0 + state fee | Standard: $199 + state fee | Premium: $299 + state fee |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee | Pro: $249 + state fee | Premium: $299 + state fee |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | N/A (Single tier) | N/A |
What These Numbers Actually Mean
Cheapest upfront: ZenBusiness, Bizee, and LegalZoom advertise $0 plans, but these exclude essential services you'll need to pay for separately.
Most transparent: Northwest ($39 + state fee) and LLC Attorney ($49 + state fee) show you the real starting price with clearer included features.
Professional formation: LLC Attorney provides professionally trained Business Success Advisors who can guide you through decisions. LegalZoom offers attorney connections through their premium plans.
24-hour filing included: LLC Attorney includes same-day filing at no extra cost. Most competitors charge between $50 to $170 for expediting, a significant hidden cost when you need quick turnaround. Illinois's slow standard processing (10–15 days) makes this especially valuable.
Hidden reality: Those "free" plans become $200-400+ once you add required services like registered agent, EIN, and operating agreement.
Service-by-Service Breakdown
Let's compare what's actually included at each price tier. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, understanding the complete package of services is critical when forming your business entity.
Basic/Starter Plans Comparison
| Service Component | LLC Attorney [Starter ($49)] | ZenBusiness Starter | Bizee Basic | LegalZoom Basic | Northwest (Single Tier) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formation filing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 24-hour expedited filing | ✓ Included | $100+ add-on | $100+ add-on | $100+ add-on | Available for fee |
| Registered agent (Year 1) | Via subscription ($14.99/mo) | $99 (Year 1) | FREE then $119/yr | $249/year | Included for Year 1 |
| Operating agreement | ✓ Professionally drafted | $99 add-on | $40 add-on | Add-on | Free template ($50 custom) |
| EIN filing | ✗ | $99 add-on | $70 add-on | In Pro | Add-on |
| Certificate of Good Standing | ✗ | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on (~$50) |
| Bank Resolution | ✓ Included | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Attorney-trained support | ✓ Business Success Advisors | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Attorney consultation | Flat-fee 30-min sessions | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Privacy/anonymous filing | ✓ Standard (WY, DE, NM, NV) | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes (Strong) |
| Customer support | Business Success Advisors + attorney access | Chat/email | Chat/email | Chat/email/phone | Phone/email (highly rated) |
Mid-Tier Plans Comparison
| Service Component | LLC Attorney [Professional ($199)] | ZenBusiness Pro ($199/yr) | Bizee Standard ($199) | LegalZoom Pro ($249) | Northwest (Single tier) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everything in Basic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Registered agent | Via subscription ($29.99/mo) | $199/year (not included, separate purchase) | Yes ($119 renewal) | $249/year separate | N/A |
| Operating agreement | ✓ Professionally drafted | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | N/A |
| EIN filing | ✓ Included | Add-on | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | N/A |
| Certificate of Good Standing | ✓ Included | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | N/A |
| 24-hour expedited filing | ✓ Included | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | N/A |
| Free amendment/name change | ✓ First 90 days | Add-on | Add-on | ✗ | N/A |
| Tax election support | ✓ S-Corp coordination | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Attorney consultation | Flat-fee 30-min sessions | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Legal documents | Via subscriptions | ✗ | ✗ | 150+ templates (1 yr) | N/A |
| Bookkeeping tools | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 90 days (then $9.99/mo) | N/A |
Premium/Subscription Plans Comparison
| Service Component | LLC Attorney [International + ($399)] | ZenBusiness Premium (~$349/$399) | Bizee Premium ($299) | LegalZoom Premium ($299) | Northwest (N/A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everything in Mid-Tier | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
| Free attorney consultation if sued | ✓ Included | ✗ | ✗ | 30-min consultations (30 days) | N/A |
| Unlimited OA updates | ✓ Custom OA + changes | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Unlimited state filings | ✓ Pay only state fee | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Unlimited Good Standing certificates | ✓ Included | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Unlimited mail scans | ✓ Included | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Business address + mail | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Meeting minutes | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | N/A |
| Legal document templates | ✓ Access | Templates | Templates | Templates | N/A |
| Domain/website | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A |
Key Differentiators
LLC Attorney: Offers professionally trained Business Success Advisors, 24-hour filing included in every package, professionally drafted Operating Agreements, flat-fee attorney consultations, and optional subscription tiers for ongoing compliance support. Serves all 50 states with multi-state anonymous filing options. Standard subscription includes CTA compliance assistance and mail scanning.
- 24-hour filing included: LLC Attorney includes same-day filing at no extra charge. Illinois's 10–15 day standard processing makes this especially valuable — when you're racing against a business deadline, LLC Attorney's 24-hour submission starts the state's clock immediately.
- Professionally drafted documents: LLC Attorney provides professionally drafted Operating Agreements, not just auto-generated templates. This matters for complex ownership structures or asset protection planning.
- Ongoing attorney access: LLC Attorney offers flat-fee consultations available anytime. Virtual Office+ subscription includes free consultation if sued, providing peace of mind that template-only services can't provide.
- Unlimited updates: LLC Attorney's Virtual Office+ subscription provides unlimited OA updates and state filings (pay state fees only), critical for growing businesses that need flexibility without per-transaction fees.
Registered Agent Cost Comparison
Registered agent service is legally required in Illinois. You must have one to maintain your LLC. Providers advertising "$0" formation charge separately for this mandatory service.
Using a registered agent keeps your home address off public records — a requirement under Illinois business formation laws.
Ongoing Annual Costs
| Provider | First Year RA Cost | Renewal Cost (Annual) | Included in Base? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Attorney | Included in monthly compliance subscription ($14.99/mo on Starter) | Included in monthly compliance subscription ($14.99/mo on Starter) | Via subscription |
| ZenBusiness | $99 (add-on to Starter) | $199/year | Not included Starter or Pro; Premium only |
| Bizee | Free first year | $119/year | Free first year, then paid |
| LegalZoom | $249/year | $249/year | Not included (always paid) |
| Northwest Registered Agent | Free first year (with formation) | $125/year | Free first year |
Cost Reality
LegalZoom has the highest costs at $249/yr. Illinois's $75 annual report adds to ongoing costs, so total annual recurring expenses are higher than in low-report-fee states. Illinois's slower standard processing also makes expedited filing options (which LLC Attorney includes) more valuable.
LLC Attorney bundles registered agent service with compliance subscriptions that also include mail scanning, services you'll need anyway as your business grows.
Key Differentiators: What Actually Separates These Services
1. Filing Speed & Turnaround Time
Different providers have different standard processing times for LLC formation filings. Illinois's 10–15 business day standard processing makes filing speed especially important — some providers include expedited filing in their base packages, while others charge additional fees for faster processing.
| Provider | Standard Timeline | Expedited Options |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Attorney | 24 business hours | Included (no extra charge) |
| ZenBusiness | 7-10 business days | Available for $79+ fee |
| Bizee | 5-10 business days | Available from $50 (dependent on state) |
| LegalZoom | Up to 30 business days (Basic) | $100+ for 1-5 days |
| Northwest | Standard processing | Available for fee |
LLC Attorney: 24-hour filing is included in every package, even the $49 Starter. Illinois's state expedited processing option costs $100 on top of the $150 state fee — but LLC Attorney's submission speed means you don't pay that if you don't need same-day state processing. When competitors charge $79+ for expedited service provider processing, LLC Attorney's included speed provides immediate value.
2. Legal Expertise & Attorney Access
LLC Attorney:
- Business Success Advisors available for free (professionally trained support), professionals who understand entity formation law and can guide your decisions
- Flat-fee 30-minute attorney consultations available anytime, no surprise hourly billing
- Professionally drafted Operating Agreements — customized for your specific business structure, not generic templates
- Personalized legal guidance for your specific situation, whether you're structuring multi-member ownership or planning for asset protection
- Virtual Office+ includes free attorney consultation if sued, legal support when you need it most
- Attorney-trained advisors guide entity selection, structure, and next steps, helping you avoid costly mistakes before they happen
LegalZoom Premium:
- 30-minute attorney consultations for 30 days in Pro subscription plan (new topics)
- Connects to third-party attorneys (not in-house)
- No attorney-client confidentiality with LegalZoom itself
All Other Providers:
- Customer service cannot provide legal advice, just administrative support
- Automated document generation only
- Must hire separate attorney for legal questions (typically $200-400/hour)
3. Privacy & Confidentiality
When forming an LLC, sometimes it is desirable to form it with private filings or anonymity. Some reasons include: real estate investors who want to prevent tenants or competitors from finding their other property holdings; e-commerce sellers avoiding competitor research by keeping business structure confidential; high-net-worth individuals seeking asset protection through separation of personal identity from business assets; businesses in litigious industries reducing exposure to frivolous lawsuits; public figures and content creators maintaining personal privacy while running businesses.
Strongest privacy:
LLC Attorney: Attorney-trained advisors understand privacy structuring, not just filing forms but strategic planning; multi-state expertise for clients needing privacy across jurisdictions.
Northwest: Strong privacy policy, no data-selling, corporate commitment to client confidentiality.
Caution: ZenBusiness: Data-sharing reported; marketing partnerships. Bizee: Data-sharing and upsells reported. LegalZoom: Large company, unclear data practices.
4. Support Quality & Response
The quality of customer support matters when you're navigating complex business formation decisions.
| Provider | Support Quality | Attorney Access | Customer Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Attorney | Business Success Advisors + attorney access | Yes | 4.3/5 on Trustpilot (December, 2025) |
| LegalZoom | Phone/chat/email 7 days | Premium only (30 days) | 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (December 2025) |
| Northwest | Great phone/email | No | 3.8/5 on Trustpilot (December 2025) |
| ZenBusiness | Chat/email | No | 4.8/5 on Trustpilot (December, 2025) |
| Bizee | Chat/email | No | 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (December, 2025) |
What sets LLC Attorney apart: Business Success Advisors aren't just customer service reps; they're professionally trained professionals who understand business law. They can guide your entity selection decisions, explain ownership structures, and help you determine when you need full attorney consultation. This level of expertise is unavailable from chat-only support teams at other providers.
5. Transparency & Hidden Fees
Most transparent:
LLC Attorney: Clear base pricing with optional add-on subscriptions you can evaluate upfront. Northwest: Clear pricing, no upsells, straightforward service model.
Hidden fees/upsells:
LegalZoom: $249/yr registered agent always costs extra; frequent upsells; Basic plan takes 30 days (forcing expedite fees). ZenBusiness: Dashboard upsell prompts after formation, additional services pushed constantly. Bizee: Many add-on charges, what looks cheap becomes expensive.
6. Ongoing Compliance & Updates
Annual compliance requirements vary by state, but every LLC needs ongoing support to maintain good standing. Compliance memberships provide proactive support for registered agent services and other compliance-related needs.
LLC Attorney:
- Standard subscription ($14.99/mo): Registered agent service, CTA compliance assistance, 5 free mail scans/year
- Professional subscription ($29.99/mo): Standard + unlimited mail scans + unlimited OA updates + legal templates, tools you need as you grow
- Virtual Office+ subscription ($49.99/mo): Professional + custom OA + unlimited Certificates of Good Standing + unlimited state filings + free attorney consultation if sued, comprehensive protection for established businesses
- Business Success Advisors provide ongoing guidance, not just automated reminders, but actual support
LegalZoom: Separate compliance services (extra cost), pay per transaction or service. Others: Automated alerts only, no attorney guidance, you're on your own to figure out requirements.
Why this matters: According to the Small Business Administration, failing to maintain compliance can result in administrative dissolution, loss of liability protection, and penalties. Having professionally trained advisors available gives you confidence you're handling requirements correctly.
Total Cost of Ownership: 3-Year Comparison
Here's what you'll actually pay over three years, including required services. This realistic comparison factors in costs that every LLC needs: formation, registered agent, operating agreement, EIN, and compliance monitoring.
Assumptions: IL LLC, $150 state fee (standard), registered agent required, $75 annual report, no franchise tax, operating agreement recommended, EIN needed
| Provider | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Attorney (Starter + Standard subscription) | $453.88 ($49 + $150 state + $179.88 sub + $75 annual report) | $254.88 ($179.88 sub + $75 annual report) | $254.88 | $963.64 |
| LegalZoom (Basic + required add-ons) | ~$723 ($0 + $249 RA + $150 state + $249 Pro + $75 annual) | $324 ($249 RA + $75 annual) | $324 | ~$1,371 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter + add-ons) | ~$522 ($0 + $150 state + $99 RA + $99 OA + $99 EIN + $75 annual) | $274 ($199 RA + $75 annual) | $274 | ~$1,070 |
| Bizee (Basic + add-ons) | ~$335 ($0 + $150 state + $0 RA + $40 OA + $70 EIN + $75 annual) | $194 ($119 RA + $75 annual) | $194 | ~$723 |
| Northwest | ~$314 ($39 + $150 state + $0 RA + $50 EIN + $75 annual) | $200 ($125 RA + $75 annual) | $200 | ~$714 |
Key Insights
- "Free" plans aren't cheaper once you add required services; the advertised $0 becomes $300-700+ in year one alone.
- LegalZoom is most expensive due to high registered agent costs ($249/yr) plus the $75 annual report, nearly $400 more over three years compared to LLC Attorney.
- LLC Attorney provides attorney access at competitive pricing, professional guidance without the premium typical of professionally guided services. You're getting law firm expertise at online service prices.
- Over 100,000 businesses formed, proven track record helping entrepreneurs launch successfully across all 50 states.
Recommendations Based on Your Needs
Best choice: LLC Attorney
Why they win: Illinois's 10–15 day standard processing makes expedited filing especially valuable. LLC Attorney's 24-hour submission starts the clock immediately, and the $100 Illinois expedited fee (if chosen) can reduce state processing to 1–2 days. Attorney-trained Business Success Advisors review before submission, catching issues that would cause rejections and additional delays.
When speed matters: Time-sensitive contracts, investment/funding deadlines, real estate closings, urgent business opportunities with tight deadlines.
Best choice: LLC Attorney
Why they win: Attorney-trained advisors understand privacy structuring and strategic planning; multi-state expertise when you need privacy protection across jurisdictions. Alternative: Northwest (strong privacy, no attorney support). Caution: ZenBusiness, Bizee, LegalZoom (data-sharing concerns reported by users).
Best choice: LLC Attorney
Why they win: Chicago's financial, tech, and professional services industries often involve complex multi-member LLC structures. Professionally drafted operating agreements handle these specifics — including unequal ownership distributions, management structures, and investor arrangements that template services cannot address properly.
When needed: Multi-member LLCs with unequal ownership; professional services practices with partner arrangements; businesses with complex liability considerations; holding company structures. Template operating agreements don't address Chicago-specific business scenarios like professional services partnerships or real estate structures.
Best choice: LLC Attorney
Why they win: Attorney consultation for equity structures and investor agreements; guidance on LLC vs. C-Corp for funding rounds. Illinois's startup ecosystem in Chicago's River North and West Loop districts is growing rapidly, and more businesses are seeking investor-friendly structures. LLC Attorney's Business Success Advisors understand startup structures and can guide entity selection for businesses that may seek outside investment.
When needed: Tech startups with multiple co-founders; companies planning to issue equity to employees; businesses requiring IP protection; SaaS companies anticipating investor conversations. Many venture capital investors prefer C-Corps; Business Success Advisors can help you understand when LLC works vs. when C-Corp is necessary.
Best choices: Bizee or Northwest for absolute lowest cost; consider LLC Attorney if budget allows
For absolute lowest: Bizee Basic ($0 + state fee) with free registered agent year 1; Northwest ($39 + state fee) with transparent pricing and excellent support.
Note Illinois's slower standard processing and the $100 expedited option — for time-sensitive formations, factor expedited fees into your cost comparison. Consider LLC Attorney if budget allows $49 + state fee; you want 24-hour filing included (starts Illinois's clock immediately); professionally drafted Operating Agreement; Business Success Advisors to prevent costly mistakes.
Best choice: LLC Attorney
LLC Attorney subscriptions: Standard ($14.99/mo): Registered agent + CTA compliance + 5 free mail scans. Professional ($29.99/mo): Standard + unlimited mail scans + unlimited OA updates + legal templates. Virtual Office+ ($49.99/mo): Professional + custom OA + unlimited Certificates of Good Standing + unlimited state filings + free attorney consultation if sued.
Business Success Advisors provide professionally trained support and guide entity selection, structure, and compliance. Note that Illinois abolished its franchise tax — Business Success Advisors can confirm current compliance requirements and ensure your ongoing filings reflect Illinois's current rules. Flat-fee 30-minute attorney sessions available anytime.
When needed: First-time owners; multi-state operations; regulated industries; want attorney support "on call"; growing businesses needing ongoing legal documents.
Conclusion
Choosing an LLC formation service isn't about the lowest advertised price. When you factor in required add-ons like registered agent service, operating agreements, and EIN filing, plus ongoing RA costs and Illinois's $75 annual report, the real price differences narrow considerably.
The Traditional Trade-Off
- Law firms: $1,000-2,000+, slow, attorney guidance
- Basic online providers: $0-39, fast, zero legal support
You had to choose between expensive professional guidance or cheap do-it-yourself service.
The Bridge: Attorney-Backed Online Formation
LLC Attorney combines the best of both worlds: professionally guided formation with professionally trained Business Success Advisors, fast 24-hour filing included at no extra charge, and competitive pricing. You get professional guidance without law firm costs, and online speed without sacrificing quality.
What sets LLC Attorney apart:
- Professional formation quality: Not just templates; actual professionally drafted documents and professionally trained advisors
- Included expedited filing: 24-hour processing standard, saving you $79+ competitors charge and starting Illinois's clock immediately
- Business Success Advisors: Attorney-trained professionals who guide your decisions, not just customer service
- Flat-fee attorney consultations: Available anytime, no retainer or hourly billing surprises
- Over 100,000 businesses formed: Proven track record across all 50 states
Making Your Decision
Consider:
- Do you need speed? LLC Attorney's included 24-hour filing is especially valuable in Illinois given the state's 10–15 day standard processing
- Do you value legal guidance? Business Success Advisors and attorney access prevent costly mistakes
- Is your structure complex? Professionally drafted documents handle multi-member, real estate, and sophisticated structures
- Do you need ongoing support? Subscription services provide continuous compliance and legal document access
The right choice depends on your specific needs, but for most entrepreneurs, professionally guided formation at competitive pricing makes LLC Attorney the smart middle ground between expensive law firms and template-only services.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Illinois state filing fee is $150 for standard processing (10–15 business days) or $250 if you choose expedited processing ($150 + $100 expedite fee, typically 1–2 business days). You'll also need to budget for a registered agent service and a $75 annual report each year. There is no franchise tax.
Total first-year costs typically range from $314 (Northwest, basic) to $723+ (LegalZoom with all required add-ons). LLC Attorney's first-year cost is approximately $453.88 with the Standard subscription, which includes registered agent service, mail scanning, and the $75 annual report.
Illinois abolished its franchise tax on LLCs, removing a significant ongoing cost that previously burdened Illinois business owners. LLCs now pay the $75 annual report fee as their primary state compliance cost each year.
This legislative change makes Illinois more competitive for business formation compared to states that still impose franchise taxes. Business Success Advisors can confirm current compliance requirements and ensure your ongoing filings reflect Illinois's current rules.
Standard processing with the Illinois Secretary of State takes 10–15 business days — slower than many states. Expedited processing is available for an additional $100 and typically takes 1–2 business days.
LLC Attorney submits your filing within 24 hours of receiving your order, starting the state's clock immediately. This means you don't waste time waiting for your service provider to submit — the state begins processing as soon as possible.
Illinois requires an annual report with a $75 fee, due before the anniversary month of your LLC's formation each year. The annual report must be filed through the Illinois Secretary of State's online system.
At $75, Illinois's annual report fee is moderate — higher than some states but below the $100–$138+ fees seen in states like Alaska and Florida. Illinois abolished its franchise tax, so the $75 annual report is your primary recurring state compliance cost.
Yes. Illinois law requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical Illinois street address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have an Illinois physical address, but most business owners use a professional service to keep their home address off public records and ensure documents are handled reliably during business hours.
Illinois (and Chicago specifically) offers excellent access to markets, talent, and capital. Illinois abolished its franchise tax, making it more competitive for business owners. Chicago's diverse economy spanning finance, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services provides significant market opportunities.
The main drawbacks compared to faster, lower-cost states are the $75 annual report fee and slower standard processing (10–15 business days). For businesses that need to operate in Illinois anyway, forming your LLC in Illinois is typically the right choice — forming in another state and then qualifying as a foreign LLC in Illinois adds cost and complexity without meaningful benefit for most small businesses.
References
- Internal Revenue Service. "Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online." IRS.gov. Available at: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
- Internal Revenue Service. "Limited Liability Company (LLC)." IRS.gov. Available at: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/limited-liability-company-llc
- U.S. Small Business Administration. "Choose a business structure." SBA.gov. Available at: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/choose-business-structure
- U.S. Small Business Administration. "Stay legally compliant." SBA.gov. Available at: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/stay-legally-compliant
- Illinois Secretary of State. "Limited Liability Company." ilsos.gov. Available at: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/business_services/llc/home.html
- Trustpilot Reviews. Customer review data for LLC formation services (December 2025). Trustpilot.com.
About LLC Attorney
LLC Attorney has helped launch and support over 100,000 businesses across all 50 states. Founded on the principle that entrepreneurs deserve professionally guided formation services at affordable prices, LLC Attorney bridges the gap between expensive law firms and template-only online services.
With professionally trained Business Success Advisors, flat-fee attorney consultations, and comprehensive subscription services, LLC Attorney provides the professional guidance you need to start and grow your business confidently. Learn more at LLCAttorney.com.
Hear Directly From Our Other Business Owners Who Use LLC Attorney
Disclaimer: This comparison guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Prices and features are accurate as of March 2026 but may change. Always verify current pricing and features on provider websites before making a purchase decision. State filing fees vary by state and are not included in the prices shown unless otherwise noted. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Last updated: March 2026