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Illinois LLC fees reduced
Illinois governor Bruce Rauner signed into law Public Act 100-0571, effective December 20th, 2017, which reduces many Illinois LLC filing fees (including new LLC formations and annual report fees) by up to 70%.
The new law amends the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act, Section 50-10 which pertains to LLC fees.
Then about 6 months later (in the middle of 2018), the Secretary of State removed the “forced” expedited fees that used to come with the online filings for LLC formation and Annual Report filings.
The two most prominent changes are as follows:
- Illinois LLC Filing Fee (Articles of Organization):
- Mail filing fee reduced from $500 to $150
- Online filing fee reduced from $600 to $250 (later reduced to $150)
- Illinois LLC Annual Report Fee:
- Mail filing fee reduced from $250 to $75
- Online filing fee reduced from $300 to $125 (later reduced to $75)
Please see the table below for all reduced filing fees.
Prior to these changes, Illinois (alongside Massachusetts) had the highest fees in the nation to start an LLC. Many entrepreneurs used to opt for doing business in neighboring states, like Iowa, to avoid high Illinois LLC startup and annual costs.
Public Act 100-0571 came out of legislation proposed in Senate Bill 867, which has been the result of many efforts, including, but not limited to, the Small Business Advocacy Council, the Illinois Policy Institute, and many more.
Senate Bill 867 passed both Houses on November 7th, 2017 and was signed into law by Governor Bruce Rauner on December 20th, 2017.
This is a much-needed change to the Illinois business landscape and we’re excited to see the economic impact and new businesses this brings to the table.
The table below is up to date as of 2024.
New Illinois LLC filing fees:
| Filing/Document | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $500 | $150 |
| Application for Admission | $500 | $150 |
| Articles of Organization (Restated) | $500 | $150 |
| Articles of Organization (Series LLC) | $750 | $400 |
| Application for Admission (Series LLC) | $750 | $400 |
| Articles of Amendment | $150 | $50 |
| Amended Application for Admission | $150 | $50 |
| Application for Withdrawal (Domestic LLC) | $25 | $5 |
| Name Reservation | $300 | $25 |
| Name Reservation Cancellation | $100 | $5 |
| Name Reservation Transfer | $100 | $25 |
| Name Registration Application | $300 | $50 |
| Registered Name Renewal | $100 | $50 |
| Assumed Name (Change) | $100 | $25 |
| Assumed Name (Cancel) | $100 | $5 |
| Annual Report | $250 | $75 |
| Reinstatement Application | $500 | $200 |
| Petition for Refund | $15 | $5 |
| Statement of Termination | $25 | $5 |
| Application for Withdrawal (Foreign LLC) | $100 | $5 |
| Any Other Document | $100 | $5 |
References
Illinois LLC Act: Section 100-0571
Illinois LLC Act: Section 180-50-10
Secretary of State News: Reduced LLC Filing Fees
Secretary of State News: State Rolls Back LLC Fees
Chicago Daily Herald: It’s time for LLC Fee Reform
Illinois SB867: LLC Act Amendment to Reduce Filing Fee
Illinois Policy: Small Business Victory: Rauner Signs Law Slashing LLC Startup Fees
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
Illinois LLC Guide
Looking for an overview? See Illinois LLC
Hi Matt. So Happy to see that you are still responding (AND So Fast!). Question: I successfully filed for my Illinois LLC (Trucking Company (Owner Operator)). A Fellow Truck (Same trucking for same company, same state), also filed an Illinois LLC. Received word from Authorities that he needs a $77 Declaration of Status. I searched online, cannot find out anything… Any insight? Thanks, Randy.
Hey Randy! Thank you :) We’ve never heard of such a form. When you say “Authorities”, which federal or state agency are you referring to?
Hi Matt
I am looking to start a small beauty supply. What steps do I need to take to get started?
Hi Ambrosia, if you would like to form an LLC, you can start on this page: LLC in Illinois. Please follow the “Detailed Lessons” links at the top, which will walk you through the steps to forming an LLC in Illinois. It may be helpful to read through the lessons first before you actually file anything (if this is your first time forming an LLC). Hope that helps.
Thank you for your direction 😊
You’re welcome Ambrosia!
Hi! How do I ONLINE file/subject an Article of Organization for a PLLC in Illinois? And do you have a recommendation for a registered agent? Thanks!
Hi Laura, yes, please see our recommendations here: Illinois Registered Agent. We have instructions for filing online (please see Illinois LLC Articles of Organization), however, this is for a “regular” LLC. The PLLC filing is just slightly different. Hope that helps.
Hi Matt!
I d like to open an llc in illinois .It would be a financial website .
Will it be 150$ to open ?
Sincerely
Zs
great answers here from you
Thanks Zs! The cost to form an LLC in Illinois is $150. If you need to hire an Illinois Registered Agent for your LLC, that will cost extra (about $125 per year). However, you can be the Registered Agent if you reside in Illinois, so that will save the $125. Every year, your Illinois LLC needs to file an Annual Report. The Illinois LLC Annual Report costs $75 per year. If you need help from an accountant for taxes, that will cost a few hundred dollars per year (on average). Hope that helps.
Hi Matt,
Great info. I have a question regarding the business name for my llc. The name I am using is lengthy. I was planning on just going by an acronym. When I file my full business name or should I file the acronym? Will I be able to use the acronym on advertising and such if I file the llc under the full name? Thanks.
Thanks Adrian. In this case, the proper steps would be to form an LLC under the full name and then file a DBA (called an Assumed Name) for the acronym. This way the LLC can do business under its full name in addition to the abbreviated name. Hope that helps.
Hi Matt,
Love all of the value you’re providing on this site. I have an LLC for an old, no longer in-use business, and missed filing my annual report in September. I read online that the LLC will automatically be dissolved after 180 days.
There’s nothing of value for me in this old LLC. I have a new venture I want to start under a different name. Seems like it would be more expensive to pay the late-fee + annual report filling fee than to just start a new LLC.
Is it okay to just let the old LLC dissolve after 180 days?
Thanks Randy! You’re correct. It would cost $75 + $100 to file the annual report and pay the late fee. You can form a new LLC for $150. And yes, after 180 days, the Illinois Secretary of State will administratively dissolve the LLC.
I know I’m late to the game, however, I have a question about legal zoom. I used Legal Zoom to create an LLC when I lived in California but I never registered it or used it. Now I’m living in Illinois can I register it with them?
Hi Marie, FYI, it doesn’t make sense when you say that you formed an LLC, but didn’t “register” it. “Register” and “form” are often used synonymously in the context of LLC formation. While you can register your California LLC as a Foreign LLC in Illinois, it’s likely easier to dissolve your California LLC and then form a new LLC in Illinois (a Domestic LLC). Hope that helps.
Hi Matt
My niece is foreigner, she has been doing business with US clients. Now she needs a bank account to receive payments, Bank requests SSN or business license for opening account. but she doesn’t have both of them. I don’t think her business is big enough to apply for LLC here. Should she apply for ITIN first so she could get a bank account? When her business grow up, she then apply for LLC here?
Hi Mei, a business doesn’t have to be a certain size, or have a certain amount of revenue, in order to form an LLC. So your niece can certainly form an LLC if she’d like (but she doesn’t have to). Here are some helpful articles: how to apply for an ITIN, non-US resident open a U.S. LLC bank account, and how to get an EIN without SSN. Hope that helps!
Hi Matt,
I’m trying to register a foreign LLC (TN) to do business in IL. I’ve completed the LLC-45.5 and have a certificate of existence from TN. When I called the IL SOS about completing this process online I was told I’d have to mail it in and it would take 10-12 days to process or I could walk in if I wanted to expedite things. I’m in TN and really don’t want to have to fly up there just to do this but I need this turned around within a few days. Do you know of any services that I can pay to walk this application in the SOS office and have it processed for me?
Thanks,
Jay
Hi Jay, we don’t have any specific recommendations, but you can search for courier services near the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. You can search “business filings courier services Springfield Illinois” (or something similar) and call a few courier services to make sure they are familiar with LLC filings at the Secretary of State’s office. Also check on their fees and turnaround time. Hope that helps.
Hi Matt,
I am planning to start my own LLC. Could you please give me the snap shot of the process.
Regards,
Pavan.
Hi Pavan, you find the overview here: forming an LLC in Illinois. Hope that helps.
Hi Matt,
I have an LLC I have no reports anything to file what do I do? I created the corp but did not use it. However, I am ready to begin using it now and i am applying for grants but my status is NGS. I feel as if paid $600 for nothing.
Hi Matt:
I had establised a LLC in the state of WI in 2012. It has been dissolved. I would like to have it reinstated but transferred to the state of IL. Must I reinstate first in WI and then have it transferred to IL? If not, what are the steps and associated costs?
Thanks for this help!
My husband had an LLC about 10 years ago in IL that was dissolved after he built a townhome development. I just got a call from a Title company and they have a check (they were doing an audit). The LLC no longer exist, my husband is deceased. The title company says check must be made out to LLC. If not funds will be sent to State of IL.
Is there anything I can do? Check is for $1400. Is it worth it or am I able to revive the LLC.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Katie, that’s a challenging question to answer. I’m not sure. I recommend calling the bank and seeing if you can assign the check to your personal name. If not, you’ll want to weigh the cost of an IL LLC Reinstatement against the $1,400. I recommend calling the Secretary of State to determine the total cost to reinstate the LLC. Hope that helps.
I want to form an LLC for my company but i see the name was previously used but involuntarily dissolved in 2004. Does this mean the LLC is now up for grabs or will i run into problems with the new LLC?
Hi Manny, there is no guarantee of no future problems, however, from what you’ve shared, the name is available. I also recommend calling the Secretary of State to double-check on its availability.
What is the procedure for filing for L3C status in Illinois and are the fees the same as for regular LLCs?
Hi Tom, yes, the fees for an Illinois low-profit LLC (L3C) are the same as regular LLCs. So that’s $150 for the Articles of Organization and $75 per year for the Annual Report. The Illinois L3C should be filed on the same form as regular LLCs, Form LLC-5.5, however the L3C will need to have its respective designator, “L3C” (instead of “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, etc). Although Illinois LLCs can be filed online, the L3C should be filed by mail since the state does not allow online filings for LLCs which require optional provisions (which the L3C requires). On Form LLC-5.5, #5 (Purpose), you’ll need to state the purpose of the L3C which must comply with Section 1-26 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes. Then in #5 (Purpose) or in #7 (Optional), you’ll need to make the appropriate statements as spelled out in Section 1-26, (b)(1) and (b)(2). Hope that helps!
Hi Matt, this information is very helpful. Thank you for your prompt and detailed response.
You’re welcome Tom. Best wishes!
What is the fee for filing for Foreign Verification for a delaware LLC to operate in Illinois? And is this something I can do myself?
Hi Terrell, you’ll need to first get a Delaware Certificate of Status for your Delaware LLC, then file an Application for Admission to Transact Business in Illinois (Form LLC 45.5). The filing fee is $150. You can find that form on the Limited Liability Company Publications/Forms page of the Illinois Secretary of State’s website.
Hi, I’m trying to change my LLC name online on the SOS website and they’re going to charge the $100 expedited fee, is that correct? Or should I just send it in the mail?
Hi Tabby, yes, that’s correct. The online filing attaches an automatic “expedited” fee of $100. If want to save the money, just file by mail. Hope that helps :)
I’m terminating my LLC because I never actually USED it once I created it. Am I correct to understand that I actually enter a post office address for this question: “Post Office address to which a copy of any process against the Limited Liability Company that may be served on the Secretary of State may be mailed”? Not a PO box, but the street address of an actual post office? Thank you!
Hi Sarah, what state is your LLC located in? I’ll take a look at the form and let you know.
Thanks Matt! Illinois
I thought you were referring to Illinois, but I just wanted to double-check. Okay, so the Illinois Statement of Termination does have some funny language in #2. When they say “Post Office address” they do not mean a PO Box address. In fact, they don’t accept PO Box addresses if entered here. The state actually mean a USPS database-verified address. Aka, a physical street address. So you can just use your home or office address, or any physical street address where you regularly get mail. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much!! WHEW I’m so glad I asked! I almost put the address of my post office I use! ;P Thanks again for clarifying Matt!
You’re very welcome Sarah! Glad we could help :)
Hello, do you know what the late fee is for filing the annual report late? It was $300 -is it still $300 even though the annual report is now only $75 and the reinstatement is $200 from the previous $500. I read the bill summary but do not see it addressed. Thanks.
Hey Mike, after the state reduced the LLC filing fees, we thought the same thing… that they would have reduced the Annual Report late fee. But nope, they did not. It’s still $300. Hope that helps!