StartupOwl
Join Newsletter

StartupOwl is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click links on this page - at no extra cost to you.

LLC Formation·Best Overall·Updated June 29, 2026

Best LLC Formation Services in Illinois

Filing an LLC in Illinois costs $150 online through the Secretary of State, with standard processing taking 5-10 business days.

June 29, 202615 min read
Daniel Wong
Written byDaniel Wong
Legal & Compliance Analyst
6 services reviewed
Independently tested
Updated quarterly

Quick Comparison of All 6 Services

Compare pricing and ratings at a glance, then visit a service or read the full review below.

Illinois

Sets the state fee and annual report below.

Include in every price

The agent is required in every state and the main reason provider prices differ. State fees go to the state and are identical with every provider.

Every price below is the full amount due, the $150 Illinois filing fee is already in it. That fee goes to the state, not the company, and is identical whoever files for you. Only the provider's own fee varies. what the service charges $150 Illinois state fee

NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

4.8Best Overall
Registered agent free year 1, then $125 a yearBusiness address, domain, email and website includedOne flat price, no upsells at checkout

Due today

$189

Registered agent included, free year 1State fees included

Then every year

$200

$125 agent renewal + $75 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
Z logo

ZenBusiness

4.5Best for LLC Formation
$0 formation with guided, beginner friendly setupFree year of compliance remindersAgent costs $199 a year here, most of the price

Due today

$349

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$274

$199 agent renewal + $75 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
TB logo

Tailor Brands

4.2Best for Branding
$0 filing with logo and website tools built inWeekend support and a guided setupAgent $199 a year plus pre-checked trial add-ons

Due today

$349

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$274

$199 agent renewal + $75 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
F logo

FileNow

4.2Best for Speed
Cheapest filing fee on this list at $49Free agent year one if you take the $199 Premium planAgent costs $119 a year on the $49 Starter plan

Due today

$318

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$194

$119 agent renewal + $75 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
SF logo

Swyft Filings

3.2Best for Fast Filing
Fast filing is their whole promise, same day in most statesAgent is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a yearThat agent price is the highest on this list by a wide margin

Due today

$746

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$671

$596 agent renewal + $75 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓
L logo

LegalZoom

2.8Most Recognized
Best known brand with a big legal document libraryAgent costs $249 a year, priciest in this listAggressive upsells during checkout

Due today

$399

Registered agent includedState fees included

Then every year

$324

$249 agent renewal + $75 state report

Get Started →Read the full review ↓

* Based on prices and renewal rates verified July 26, 2026. Provider and government fees change.

Compare every detailShow
Service
NR logo

Northwest Registered Agent

Best Overall
From $39
4.8
Get Started →Read review
ZB logo

ZenBusiness

Best for LLC Formation
From $0
4.5
Get Started →Read review
TB logo

Tailor Brands

Best for Branding
From $0
4.2
Get Started →Read review
FN logo

FileNow

Best for Speed
From $49
4.2
Get Started →Read review
SF logo

Swyft Filings

Best for Fast Filing
From $0
3.2
Get Started →Read review
LZ logo

LegalZoom

Most Recognized
From $0
2.8
Get Started →Read review

How We Chose the Best LLC Services for Illinois

Illinois layers a $150 filing fee with a $75 annual report and strict dissolution penalties for late filers, making ongoing compliance support a major differentiator. We filed test LLCs through the Secretary of State, dealt with the 5-to-10-day processing timeline, and ranked services based on how effectively they managed the annual report calendar and communicated the 60-day penalty window and 180-day dissolution risk.

Illinois is one of a handful of states that allows Series LLCs, letting you create separate liability-protected "series" under one parent LLC without filing (or paying for) multiple entities. If you plan to hold multiple assets or run several business lines, this single feature can save you hundreds in formation and annual report fees compared to forming separate LLCs.

12

Services Tested Nationally

200

Hours of Research

50

States Covered

June 29, 2026

Last Updated

Full Reviews

1
NR logo
From $39
Best Overall

Northwest Registered Agent

A transparent LLC formation service that bundles a complete business identity (address, domain, email, phone, website) into a single $39 fee with no upsells.

4.8
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

Pricing Plans

Popular
$39

LLC Formation + Business Identity

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
  • 1 full year of Registered Agent service included
  • Operating Agreement draft

Northwest Registered Agent is our top pick for LLC formation. Their $39 package now includes what they call a Business Identity: a business address, domain name, website with hosting, email, phone service, and mail scanning, on top of the formation filing and a year of registered agent service. No tiered plans, no upsell games during checkout. They are a family-owned, privately held company with U.S.-based Corporate Guides who actually know what they are talking about. The dashboard is more utilitarian than polished, but that is a fair tradeoff for the most complete formation package at this price.

Pros

  • Flat $39 formation fee with no tiered packages or hidden add-ons.
  • Full Business Identity included: business address, domain, email, website, and phone service.
  • Free year of registered agent service with privacy protection.
  • Free mail scanning (up to 5 documents) and renewal reminders.
  • Same-day filing with no extra rush fees.
  • U.S.-based Corporate Guides who actually answer the phone.

Cons

  • Customer support is not available on weekends.
  • Online cancellation process can be cumbersome.
  • Trial digital services auto-renew if you forget to cancel.

Best For: Founders who want a complete business setup (formation, address, domain, email, website, phone) in one flat-fee package with no upsells.

Read full review
Get Started

From $39 + state fees

2
ZB logo
From $0
Best for LLC Formation

ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness offers a phenomenal $0 base plan and an incredibly intuitive dashboard, making it our top recommendation for first-time founders.

4.5
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Starter

+ state fees

  • Name availability search
  • Articles of formation filing
  • Electronic document access
Popular
$199/yr

Pro

+ state fees

  • All Starter features
  • 1-day rush processing
  • Operating agreement template
$399/yr

Premium

+ state fees

  • All Pro features
  • Business document templates
  • Registered Agent service

ZenBusiness offers the smoothest LLC formation experience available. The guided setup walks first-time founders through every step, and the $0 Starter plan only requires you to pay state fees. The dashboard sends compliance reminders so you do not miss deadlines. Watch for pre-checked upsells during checkout that trigger recurring annual costs, and know that the Pro plan renewal jumps to $199/year. A strong choice if you want a polished, beginner-friendly formation process.

Pros

  • $0 Starter plan requiring only state filing fees
  • Highly intuitive dashboard that simplifies the formation process
  • Responsive support team available on Sundays
  • First year of Worry-Free Compliance included for free
  • Excellent mobile app for managing your business on the go

Cons

  • Heavy push for add-on services during the checkout process
  • Registered agent and compliance renewals become expensive after the first year
  • Difficult-to-cancel auto-renewing subscriptions

Best For: First-time founders needing an easy, guided, and affordable LLC setup

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

3
TB logo
From $0
Best for Branding

Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands bundles logo design and a website into LLC formation, then charges $199 a year for the registered agent almost everyone needs.

4.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Lite

+ state fees

  • Filing of Articles of Organization
  • Standard processing, up to 14 business days
  • Business coaching program access
Popular
$199/yr

Essential

+ state fees

  • Everything in Lite
  • Expedited processing, 1 to 2 business days
  • Operating agreement creation
$249/yr

Elite

+ state fees

  • Everything in Essential
  • 1-year free domain hosting
  • AI-powered website builder

Formation is the free part. The logo and website builders are easy to use, and the guided setup is beginner friendly. The catch is checkout. Plan prices stay hidden until the end, a $39 a month bookkeeping trial comes pre-checked, and the registered agent most founders need costs $199 a year. That puts the real first-year cost at $199 plus your state's filing fee. If you want branding and formation together, it works. If you only need the LLC, Northwest files for a flat $39 with no upsells.

Pros

  • Free Lite plan covers the LLC filing and standard processing
  • Beginner-friendly dashboard that is easy to navigate
  • Built-in logo maker and website builder in one dashboard
  • Customer support available on weekends
  • Guided questionnaire walks you through setup

Cons

  • Plan prices stay hidden until the end of the questionnaire
  • Pre-checked $39 a month bookkeeping trial you must cancel yourself
  • Registered agent service costs $199 a year, more than budget rivals

Best For: First-time founders who want LLC filing and basic branding tools in one place.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

4
FN logo
From $49
Best for Speed

FileNow

FileNow guarantees 24-hour processing on all orders, but its lack of a free entry-level plan makes it less competitive for founders on a strict budget.

4.2
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$49

Starter

+ state fee

  • Filing Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Unlimited Phone & Email Support
  • Electronic Delivery of State Documents
Popular
$199

Premium

+ state fee

  • Filing Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Unlimited Phone & Email Support
  • Electronic Delivery of State Documents

FileNow delivers a remarkably fast and straightforward LLC formation experience. We appreciate that 24-hour processing is standard across all plans instead of being an expensive add-on. The checkout process is completely transparent with zero pre-checked upsells or hidden fees. However, because the base plan costs $49 and does not include a registered agent, budget-conscious founders might prefer cheaper alternatives.

Pros

  • 24-hour order processing included on all plans at no extra cost
  • Transparent pricing with zero hidden fees or pre-checked subscriptions
  • Simple two-tier pricing makes choosing a package easy
  • Premium plan provides excellent value by bundling essential startup documents
  • Customer support is accessible via phone, chat, and email

Cons

  • No free formation tier available
  • Starter plan does not include registered agent service
  • Lacks advanced legal tools and ongoing compliance dashboards

Best For: Entrepreneurs who prioritize fast 24-hour processing and straightforward, transparent pricing.

Read full review
Get Started

From $49 + state fees

5
SF logo
From $0
Best for Fast Filing

Swyft Filings

Swyft Filings offers exceptionally fast processing speeds, but you must navigate a minefield of expensive upsells during checkout.

3.2
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state fees

  • Preparation and filing of LLC documents
  • Business name availability check
  • Standard processing (7-10 business days)
Popular
$199

Standard

+ state fees

  • Everything in Basic
  • Federal Tax ID (EIN) obtainment
  • Custom Operating Agreement
$299

Premium

+ state fees

  • Everything in Standard
  • Expedited processing (1 business day)
  • 2 months of unlimited attorney consultations

Swyft Filings lives up to its name by offering some of the fastest LLC formation times on the market. Their 5-step setup process is simple and easy for beginners to understand. However, their aggressive upsells and missing registered agent service make their $0 starting price highly deceptive. We recommend them only if you desperately need same-day processing and know exactly which add-ons to decline.

Pros

  • Exceptionally fast processing speeds
  • Streamlined 5-step application interface
  • Knowledgeable and responsive phone support
  • Basic package starts at $0 plus state fees
  • No confusing legal jargon during setup

Cons

  • Registered agent service is billed quarterly at $149, which is $596 a year
  • Aggressive multi-page upsell flow
  • Difficult cancellation process for ongoing subscriptions

Best For: Founders needing fast turnaround who can navigate heavy upsells.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

6
LZ logo
From $0
Most Recognized

LegalZoom

A famous name with an aggressive checkout process and expensive recurring fees.

2.8
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Pricing Plans

$0

Basic

+ state filing fees

  • Articles of organization filing
  • Business name availability check
  • Digital welcome packet
Popular
$249

Pro

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Basic package
  • Operating Agreement
  • EIN registration
$299

Premium

+ state filing fees

  • Everything in the Pro package
  • Business attorney guidance (30-day subscription)
  • Bookkeeping tools (6-month subscription)

LegalZoom relies heavily on its brand recognition to charge premium prices for basic services. While the platform is easy to navigate and offers excellent legal document libraries, the checkout process is a maze of expensive upsells and auto-renewing trials. We do not recommend it if you are on a budget. You will end up paying significantly more for registered agent and compliance services than you would with competitors.

Pros

  • Highly intuitive platform that is easy for absolute beginners to navigate.
  • Access to a massive library of legal documents and forms.
  • Long-standing brand reputation provides reliability and peace of mind.
  • Customer support is available seven days a week.
  • Basic LLC formation is free excluding mandatory state fees.

Cons

  • Incredibly aggressive upselling for simple tasks like obtaining an EIN.
  • Registered agent fees are heavily inflated at $249 per year.
  • Checkout includes pre-selected free trials that auto-renew at high prices.
  • Standard processing times are slow unless you pay a $99 expedite fee.

Best For: Founders prioritizing brand recognition and access to an extensive legal document library.

Read full review
Get Started

From $0 + state fees

Editorial Standards & Affiliate Disclosure

StartupOwl may earn a commission when you use our links - at no additional cost to you. Our editorial team independently selects and ranks all services. Affiliate relationships do not influence our ratings or recommendations. Read our editorial policy →

What Makes a Good LLC Service for Illinois Founders

Illinois charges a $75 annual report due before the first day of your formation anniversary month each year. Miss it by 60 days and you owe a $100 penalty. Miss it by 180 days and the state can dissolve your LLC entirely.

Unlike neighboring Indiana ($50 biennial report) or Iowa ($60 biennial report), Illinois requires annual filings. That adds up. Over five years, you will pay $375 in annual reports alone in Illinois versus $125 in Indiana.

Illinois does not offer anonymous LLCs. Your name and address will appear on public filings with the Secretary of State. If privacy matters, you will need to use a registered agent service as your listed address and a manager-managed structure to keep member names off the Articles of Organization.

The state has a 6.25% base sales tax, but combined local rates in Chicago can push that above 10%. If you sell taxable goods, register with the Illinois Department of Revenue immediately after formation.

What to Do After You File Your Illinois LLC

  1. Get your EIN from the IRS. This is free and takes minutes online. You need it before opening a business bank account or hiring employees.
  2. Appoint a registered agent with a physical street address in Illinois. P.O. Boxes are not accepted. Most formation services include this for the first year.
  3. File your Annual Report before the first day of your LLC's anniversary month each year. The fee is $75. Set a reminder at least 30 days early to avoid the $100 late penalty.
  4. Register with the Illinois Department of Revenue if you sell goods or services subject to sales tax. You can register online through MyTax Illinois.
  5. Check whether your city or county requires a local business license. Chicago, for example, requires a Business License for most commercial activities.
  6. Skip the federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report. FinCEN exempted every company created in the United States in an interim final rule published 26 March 2025, so a domestic Illinois LLC files nothing. Only entities formed under foreign law and registered to do business here still report. A letter asking for a fee to file one is a scam, and FinCEN says so.

Illinois LLC Tax Overview

Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax on personal income, which applies to LLC profits that pass through to members. There is no franchise tax, but the $75 annual report fee functions as a recurring cost every year.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For in Illinois

  • Expedited Processing Fee - Getting 24-hour turnaround costs an extra $100 on top of the $150 filing fee, bringing your total to $250 just for formation.
  • Late Annual Report Penalty - Filing your $75 annual report more than 60 days late triggers a $100 penalty, nearly doubling the cost.
  • Reinstatement After Dissolution - If your LLC is dissolved for missing reports, reinstatement costs $200 plus all delinquent annual report fees and penalties.
  • Name Reservation Fee - Reserving your LLC name before you are ready to file costs $25 and holds the name for 90 days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois LLCs

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Illinois?

The Illinois Secretary of State charges $150 to file Articles of Organization online. If you want 24-hour expedited processing, add $100. Most formation services charge their own fee on top of the state fee, ranging from $0 to $299 depending on the package.

Does Illinois require a registered agent?

Yes. Your registered agent must be an individual who lives in Illinois or a business entity authorized to operate in the state. They must have a physical street address in Illinois. P.O. Boxes are not accepted. Most formation services include registered agent service for at least the first year.

How long does LLC formation take in Illinois?

Online filings are processed in 5-10 business days. Paper filings mailed to the Secretary of State take 3-4 weeks. You can pay an additional $100 for expedited 24-hour processing if you need your LLC approved fast.

Can I form a Series LLC in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois was one of the first states to authorize Series LLCs. A Series LLC lets you create separate "series" within one parent LLC, each with its own assets, members, and liability protection. You file one set of Articles of Organization and pay one $150 fee, then establish individual series through your operating agreement without additional state filings.

About the Author

Daniel Wong
Daniel Wong

Legal & Compliance Analyst

Daniel grew up in the shadow of Silicon Valley but chose the legal route over engineering, working as a paralegal for a corporate law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions. He realized that early-stage founders were constantly making catastrophic legal mistakes because they couldn't afford a $500/hour attorney, prompting his move to B2B media.

Was this article helpful?

Questions about LLC services in Illinois

2 comments

NV

Nate Villareal

August 7, 2026

Picked Illinois specifically for the series LLC and this page says one filing, one fee, same $150. The Secretary of State has a different form for a series with a much bigger number on it, and your own series LLC article quotes that bigger number too. Which of your two pages should I believe?

Daniel WongStartupOwl team

Legal & Compliance Analyst · August 8, 2026

Believe the other page, and thank you for putting them side by side. Illinois treats a series as its own filing with its own form and a fee several times the ordinary one, and each series you register formally costs again on top. Our sentence here collapsed all of that into the plain LLC fee and it is wrong. We have filed it for correction. The practical point for you, a series is still often cheaper than forming separate companies once you are past a few, but the gap is narrower than this page made it look. Price it on the number of series you will actually register, not on the parent alone.

Leave a comment

Comments are reviewed before they appear. We never publish your email address.