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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Illinois, you file Articles of Organization, Form LLC-5.5, with

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<v Dan>the Illinois Secretary of State and pay the $150 filing fee.

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<v Maya>A hundred and fifty. That's higher than a lot of states.

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<v Dan>It is, and the yearly report adds $75 more.

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<v Dan>We'll get to that.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Illinois for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>First, the name.

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<v Dan>An Illinois LLC name has to include limited liability company, LLC, or L.L.C., and

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<v Dan>be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records.

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<v Maya>Anything I can't put in it?

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<v Dan>Yes. Words like corporation, inc, ltd, and co aren't allowed, and

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<v Dan>neither are limited partnership or L.P.

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<v Maya>So an LLC can't call itself Smith Company.

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<v Dan>Not with "co" in the name, no.

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<v Dan>Drop that word and you're fine.

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<v Maya>How do I see what's taken?

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free business entity search.

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<v Dan>And you can reserve a name for 90 days for $25.

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<v Maya>Registered agent next. What are Illinois's rules?

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<v Dan>Your agent has to be an Illinois resident, or a business authorized in Illinois, at

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<v Dan>an Illinois street address. You list it right on your Articles.

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<v Maya>Is a P.O. box okay?

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<v Dan>Not by itself. And your LLC can't serve as its own agent.

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<v Maya>So who does it?

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<v Dan>You, if you live in Illinois, or a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Remember that the agent's name and address go on the public record, which is a big

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<v Dan>reason many owners hire one.

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<v Maya>And switching later?

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<v Dan>That costs $25.

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<v Maya>Okay, the main event.

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<v Dan>You submit Form LLC-5.5 to the Secretary of State, online or by mail, and pay

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<v Dan>$150. By mail, it goes in duplicate.

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<v Maya>What's on the form?

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<v Dan>The name, a principal address, your registered agent, the purpose, and the names and

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<v Dan>addresses of any managers, or of members who have management authority.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Great to be here with you, Maya.

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<v Maya>How fast is it?

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<v Dan>Standard online filings take about 10 business days.

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<v Maya>And if I can't wait?

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<v Dan>Twenty-four hour service costs $100 more, so $250 in all.

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<v Maya>That's a big jump.

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<v Dan>It is, so decide whether the speed is worth it for you.

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<v Maya>What does the form let me choose about management?

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<v Dan>You list the managers, or the members who have management authority.

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<v Dan>That's a decision to make before you file, not after.

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<v Maya>Do I file the operating agreement with the state?

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<v Dan>No. Keep it with your records.

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<v Dan>There's no state fee for it.

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<v Maya>But do I need one?

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<v Dan>Illinois law counts agreements that are oral, written, or even implied.

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<v Dan>That's exactly why putting yours on paper helps.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>Even with just me?

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<v Dan>Even with just you. A one-page agreement still beats an argument about what was

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<v Dan>implied.

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<v Maya>What about the tax ID?

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<v Dan>Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the Secretary of State has filed your

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<v Dan>Articles.

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<v Maya>How quick?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number is issued right away.

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<v Dan>Have the Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge ready.

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<v Maya>And the ownership report?

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<v Dan>U.S. companies can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it.

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<v Maya>What does Illinois want every year?

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<v Dan>An annual report with the Secretary of State, filed before the first day of your

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<v Dan>LLC's anniversary month. The fee is $75.

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<v Maya>So if I formed in June, I file before June 1.

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<v Dan>Right, every year.

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<v Maya>Who files it, the agent?

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<v Dan>Not automatically. The LLC files it, so unless a service does it for you, it's on

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<v Dan>you.

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<v Maya>And the penalty for forgetting?

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<v Dan>If it's still missing two months later, there's a $100 penalty, plus $100 more for

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<v Dan>each extra year it stays missing.

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<v Maya>Does it end there?

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<v Dan>No. After a notice, an LLC that doesn't catch up within 120 days is dissolved.

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<v Maya>So a $75 report becomes a real problem.

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<v Dan>It can, which is why an anniversary-month reminder matters.

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<v Maya>What's the state bill if I do it all?

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<v Dan>$150 to form, then $75 a year for the annual report.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>And the optional costs?

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<v Dan>A 90-day name reservation is $25.

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<v Dan>Twenty-four hour service is an extra $100.

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<v Dan>Changing agents is $25.

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<v Maya>So a fast, reserved, first-year LLC could cost how much?

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<v Dan>$150 plus $25 plus $100 is $275,

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<v Dan>before the annual report.

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<v Maya>Good to see the math.

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<v Dan>The basic path is $150, though.

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<v Dan>Everything else is a choice.

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<v Maya>And the choice that matters most?

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<v Dan>Whether to pay for speed. Standard online filing is about 10 business days, and many

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<v Dan>founders can wait.

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<v Maya>Give me an order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search and choose the name. Line up an Illinois agent.

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<v Dan>File Form LLC-5.5. Write the operating agreement.

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<v Dan>Get your EIN.

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<v Maya>And then?

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<v Dan>Find your anniversary month and set a reminder a month before it.

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<v Maya>When does the first report come due?

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<v Dan>Before the first day of the anniversary month of your LLC, which is when you formed.

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<v Dan>Put it on the calendar now.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather have someone else do it?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Illinois.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state

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<v Dan>fee. With the $150 state fee, checkout comes to $349.

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<v Maya>What's included?

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<v Dan>Your Form LLC-5.5 filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every

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<v Dan>year. It renews at the same $199.

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<v Dan>And in Illinois, it prepares and files your annual report before your anniversary

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<v Dan>month.

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<v Maya>And what's my cost for the report?

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<v Dan>Just the $75 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>IL Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state

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<v Dan>fee, with a free first year of registered agent service, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>Three?

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<v Dan>Illinois Registered Agent.co. The same offer: $199 plus the state fee, a

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<v Dan>free first year of agent service, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How should I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own annual report, two and three cost less from year two, at $99

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<v Dan>for the agent alone. If you want the agent and the report taken care of at one

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<v Dan>steady price, that's Mainstay.

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<v Dan>The $75 fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Three-year numbers?

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>The other two are $199 in year one, then $99 and

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<v Dan>$99, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 difference.

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<v Dan>Yes. And in Illinois, that difference includes someone else watching the

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<v Dan>anniversary-month deadline.

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<v Maya>Give us the whole path one more time.

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name an agent at an Illinois street address, file

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<v Dan>Form LLC-5.5 for $150, write an operating agreement,

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<v Dan>get your free EIN, and file your $75 annual report before your anniversary month

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<v Dan>every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Illinois LLC.