LLC Formation Compared › Illinois
LLC formation services compared in Illinois (2026)
The Illinois filing fee is $150. With a registered agent, Mainstay Filing (our best overall pick) comes to $349 in year 1; the other four services range from $150 to $399.
- Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
- Prices verified October 2026
Year-1 cost of each service in Illinois
| Service | First-year price (with agent) | Year-1 total |
|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 Basic package, agent free the first year | $150 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 package, agent included the first year | $189 |
| ZenBusiness | $0 Starter package plus $99 agent | $249 |
| Mainstay Filing | Included | $349 |
| LegalZoom | $0 Basic package plus $249 agent | $399 |
Illinois filing details
- State filing fee
- $150
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization (LLC-5.5)
- Filed with
- Illinois Secretary of State
- Yearly state report
- Limited Liability Company Annual Report, every year: $75
- Registered agent
- Required. An Illinois resident, or a business authorized to do business in Illinois. The LLC cannot act as its own agent.
Mainstay Filing
$199 + $150 state fee = $349 in year 1
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
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Illinois questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Illinois with a service?
In year 1, from $150 (Bizee) to $399 (LegalZoom), with a registered agent and Illinois’s $150 filing fee included. Mainstay Filing is $349.
What does Illinois charge to file an LLC?
$150, paid to the Illinois Secretary of State for the Articles of Organization (LLC-5.5). Every service on this page adds that fee on top of its own price.
Do I need a registered agent for a Illinois LLC?
Yes. An Illinois resident, or a business authorized to do business in Illinois. The LLC cannot act as its own agent.
Is the cheapest first year the cheapest LLC?
Not always. Bizee is lowest in year 1, but the agent price changes after the first year for Bizee, Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness, while Mainstay Filing stays at $199.
Sources
- 805 ILCS 180/5-5 (articles of organization); 805 ILCS 180/5-1 (filing with Secretary of State) (multira state research spine): www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=080501800K5-5, checked August 12, 2026
- Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=080501800K50-10, checked October 1, 2026
- Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: www.ilsos.gov/publications/business-services/llc.html, checked October 1, 2026
- Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division (multira state research spine): www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/annual-reports/llc-instructions.html, checked August 12, 2026
- Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, Limited Liability Division (multira state research spine): www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/annual-reports.html, checked August 12, 2026
- Illinois registered agent statute (805 ILCS 180/1-35): www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=080501800K1-35, checked October 20, 2026
Provider prices: each company’s own pages, checked October 2026 (see sources and method).