Vendor setup
Register a business in Illinois
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Illinois. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Illinois LLCs and corporations are formed with the Secretary of State, Department of Business Services. Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
Forming an LLC
- An Illinois LLC is formed by Articles of Organization (Form LLC 5.5). Online formation is available. Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- Online formation has standard processing at the filing fee, or 24-hour service for more. Cards add a processor fee. Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee (LLC 5.5): $150 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- Expedited service, added: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- Online formation with 24-hour service: $250 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
Forming a corporation
- An Illinois business corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation (Form BCA 2.10). Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- The filing fee is paid together with an initial franchise tax. Expedited service must be requested in person. Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- Articles of Incorporation filing fee (BCA 2.10): $150 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- Expedited service, added: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Illinois LLCs file annual reports (Form LLC 50.1). Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- LLC annual report filing fee: $75 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
- Expedited service, added: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Under the Assumed Business Name Act, a person doing business under an assumed name files a certificate with the County Clerk, then publishes notice once a week for three consecutive weeks, starting within 15 days of filing (805 ILCS 405/1). The Act does not apply to corporations or LLCs (405/4). Illinois General Assembly, as of
- Corporations and LLCs adopt an assumed name with the Secretary of State (Form LLC 1.20 for LLCs, Form BCA 4.15 for corporations). Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services, as of
State tax registration
- Businesses register with the Illinois Department of Revenue through MyTax Illinois (Form REG-1). Illinois Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Under the Swimming Facility Act (210 ILCS 125/4), it is unlawful to open or operate a swimming facility without a licence from the Illinois Department of Public Health or an ordinance health department. The licence is for the facility, not the vendor. Illinois General Assembly, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Limited Liability Companies Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services. As of .
- LLC publications and fee table Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services. As of .
- Information for Forming an LLC Online Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services. As of .
- Domestic and Foreign Corporations Publications and Forms Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services. As of .
- 805 ILCS 405 Assumed Business Name Act Illinois General Assembly. As of .
- Business Registration Illinois Department of Revenue. As of .
- 210 ILCS 125 Swimming Facility Act Illinois General Assembly. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked