How to Start an Illinois LLC

First, you’ll need to gather basic information about your LLC, including the names and addresses of the managers or members. The LLC members are typically the people who own and run the business. They are also the ones who can take profits out of the business to pay themselves.

You’ll need a distinctive and original name for your Illinois LLC that’s not used by any other business in IL. To find out if another company is using your chosen business name, carry out an Illinois business entity name search on the IL Secretary of State website.

There are a few rules you’ll need to follow when choosing an LLC name. You can find out more in our guide to searching for and naming your Illinois LLC.

Learn about Illinois LLC business naming rules.

Every Illinois LLC must have a designated street address. That could be your home address (if you’re running the company from your residence), your company’s office building or any physical address of your preference. The address can be outside the state of Illinois, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.

Every IL LLC must have a “Registered Agent” when it is formed. This is an official position; the Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and has responsibility for filing reports with the Illinois Secretary of State.

This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. Your IL Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Illinois and must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours.

At Incfile, all of our packages include an Illinois Registered Agent service that is free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. We also have a dashboard where you can log in and easily view any document your Registered Agent has received on your behalf.

Learn more about Illinois Registered Agents.

You will need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or we can get one for you as part of the Illinois LLC business formation process.

Once you've gathered all the information together for your Illinois LLC, you’ll need to file a formal document with the IL Secretary of State. This document is known as your “Articles of Organization,” and filing the document creates your Illinois LLC. Here’s what is typically included:

• Your business name and address
• Details of your Registered Agent
• Purpose of your business
• Duration (can be permanent)
• Provisions for the regulation of the internal affairs of the company
• Names of managers or members of the LLC at the time of filing
• Addresses of managers or members of the LLC at the time of filing
• Name of the incorporator

You can file your Illinois LLC Articles of Organization online, mail in a form or have Incfile do it on your behalf. There is a fee to file and start an LLC in Illinois. You only need to file your Articles of Organization once.

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In Illinois, you also have the option to set up a “Series LLC” — these are specialized LLCs designed to allow you to manage multiple separate LLCs under one master, umbrella LLC. These can be very useful if you don’t want to set up a separate Illinois LLC for every individual business you run.

Decide if an Illinois Series LLC is right for your new business.

Some states, including Illinois, allow certain occupations to form “Professional LLCs.” These types of businesses typically have specialized requirements and licensing. A standard LLC may be formed to provide professional services, such as the practice of medicine or dentistry, if all the members are licensed.

A limited liability company engaged in rendering a professional service regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must register with that agency.

If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Illinois, you’ll need to form a foreign LLC.

More information on Illinois filing and licensing requirements can be found here.