Illinois forms an LLC with one document: the Articles of Organization, Form LLC-5.5. It goes to the Department of Business Services, which is part of the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $150.
Speed depends on how you file. The standard handling time is 10 business days. Online filers can pay $250 in total for 24-hour service. This page describes the filing and is not legal advice. The wider office guide is the Illinois office guide.
Where do you file Illinois articles of organization?
You can file on paper with the Secretary of State or online if your LLC qualifies. The online route is open to an LLC that is not formed in another state or jurisdiction and does not need a specific purpose or special provisions. Others use the paper form.
Paper filers send two identical copies of the articles, with at least one original signature. Payment can be a credit card, certified check, cashier's check, money order, Illinois attorney check or CPA check, payable to the Secretary of State. Cash is not accepted.
| LLC form | Form LLC-5.5, Articles of Organization (ilsos.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Corporation form | Form BCA-2.10, Articles of Incorporation (ilsos.gov, checked ) |
| State filing fee for an LLC | $150 (ilsos.gov, checked ) |
| Filing online | Online formation is open to LLCs that meet the eligibility rules (ilsos.gov, checked ) |
| Processing time | $150 in 10 business days, or $250 for 24-hour service (ilsos.gov, checked ) |
| Worth knowing | A series LLC files articles at $400, or $500 with 24-hour service. Each series then needs its own certificate of designation. (ilsos.gov, checked ) |
| Where to file online | apps.ilsos.gov/soar (apps.ilsos.gov, checked ) |
What does Form LLC-5.5 ask for?
The form is short. Every part is required except Article 7, which is optional. You supply:
- the LLC name and the address of its principal place of business
- the effective date of the articles
- the registered agent and the registered office
- the purpose of the company
- the term of existence
- the names and business addresses of all managers, and any member with the authority of a manager
Articles are usually effective on the day they are filed. You can choose a later date, but not more than 60 days after filing.
Naming rules and the registered agent
The name must include Limited Liability Company, LLC or L.L.C. Words such as Inc., Corp. and Ltd. are not allowed. The name also has to be distinguishable from others on file. A quick check of the entity database, where a result of no records found means the name may be free, saves a rejected filing.
A name reservation costs $25 and holds the name for 90 days. It is optional.
Every LLC needs a registered agent in Illinois. The agent is either an Illinois resident or an entity authorized to do business in the state. The registered office needs a street address, because a P.O. Box alone is not accepted, and it must match the agent's business office. The LLC cannot be its own agent.
Series LLCs and corporations
Illinois allows series LLCs. A company that wants one files Form LLC-5.5(S) at $400, or $500 with 24-hour service, and then files a certificate of designation on Form LLC-37.40 for each series.
A corporation uses a different form: Articles of Incorporation, Form BCA-2.10. The fee is $150, plus an initial franchise tax based on the consideration received for issuing shares. See the guide to articles of incorporation for the idea behind that filing.
After the articles are filed
You get a confirmation by email once the department has examined and approved the filing. From then on the LLC owes an annual report, $75 each year, before the first day of the anniversary month. Details are on the Illinois annual report page. Our general articles of organization guide explains how the document works across states.
You can file at the state yourself, and state fees are separate. If you would rather have help, you can ask our private filing service.
Sources
- www.ilsos.gov/publications/business-services/llc.html: LLC filing fee. Checked .
- apps.ilsos.gov/soar/: online filing. Checked .
- www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/c334.pdf: llc form. Checked .
- www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/c179.pdf: corporation form. Checked .
- www.ilsos.gov/departments/business-services/organization/llc-instructions.html: filing online, processing time, worth knowing. Checked .