LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Illinois

Forming an LLC in Illinois for the first time

The Illinois filing fee is $150. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $349.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Illinois checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization (LLC-5.5). $150 to the Illinois Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Limited Liability Company Annual Report, every year, $75. Due: Before the first day of the entity's anniversary month each year.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $150 state fee

  • 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.

Total for the first three years

$897 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $589; ZenBusiness $797; Bizee $598; LegalZoom $1,047 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Illinois?

Mainstay Filing. First year $349 including the $150 Illinois filing fee; $274 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Illinois without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization (LLC-5.5) with the Illinois Secretary of State for $150. Required registered agent: An Illinois resident, or a business authorized to do business in Illinois. The LLC cannot act as its own agent.

Sources