LLC Services Compared › Illinois
The three-year cost of a Illinois LLC (2026)
Illinois charges $150 to file an LLC. Over three years, with a registered agent and the state’s report fees, Mainstay Filing (best overall) totals $897; the other four services total $589 to $1,047.
- Official sources, checked October 20, 2026
- Prices verified October 2026
Year by year
| Service | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Service total | With state costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstay Filing | $199 | $199 | $199 | $597 | $897 |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | $125 | $125 | $289 | $589 |
| ZenBusiness | $99 | $199 | $199 | $497 | $797 |
| Bizee | $0 | $149 | $149 | $298 | $598 |
| LegalZoom | $249 | $249 | $249 | $747 | $1,047 |
Mainstay Filing
$199 / year, $897 over three years with Illinois costs
- 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.
Illinois state costs
- Filing fee
- $150 for the Articles of Organization (LLC-5.5), to the 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.
Illinois questions
What does an LLC cost in Illinois over three years?
State costs are $300 ($150 to file, plus 2 reports at $75). Adding a service and registered agent gives $589 (Northwest Registered Agent) to $1,047 (LegalZoom). Mainstay Filing is $897.
Does Illinois require an annual report?
Limited Liability Company Annual Report, every year: $75.
Why do the services differ most after year one?
Agent pricing: Northwest Registered Agent $39 then $125 a year, Bizee free then $149, ZenBusiness $99 then $199, LegalZoom $249, Mainstay Filing $199 flat.
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.