Skip to content
LLC Q and AOne question, one reply, one source.

Short reply · Illinois

3 Best LLC Services in Illinois (2026): The Quick Answer

The 2026 order for LLC formation services in Illinois is IL Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and Illinois Registered Agent.co ($199). Any pick pays the same $150 state filing fee; service fees come to $397 to $597 in three years.

LLC Q and A editorial team ·

Quick answers

State filing fee
$150, one time
After that
$75 yearly
Registered agent
Yes, the statute demands one
Our pick
IL Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing then Illinois Registered Agent.co

Illinois ranking

Order set by our five criteria, three-year cost first.
1#1 pick

1. IL Registered Agent.org: best for staying local

Form for $199; renew at $99 a year

#1 in Illinois: IL Registered Agent.org, because formation is $199 with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

It undercuts Mainstay Filing on three-year cost, which puts it first for a company that stays put.

Not included: the Limited Liability Company Annual Report.

Price covers

  • Illinois formation filing
  • Agent for year one

For

  • $199 to form the LLC
  • Then $99 a year
  • Year-one agent included

Against

  • Limited Liability Company Annual Report not included
  • $99 charge for the EIN application
IL Registered Agent.org sitePartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Nationwide

2. Mainstay Filing: best for skipping the annual report

$199 yearly ($349 due at signup, with the state fee)

Why Mainstay Filing is second: the yearly $199 bundles formation, the registered agent and the annual report filing.

Ranked lower because three years cost $200 more than IL Registered Agent.org, and cost has the biggest weight.

Limited Liability Company Annual Report filing is included. The state's $75 is the only addition, at cost.

Price covers

  • Formation filed with the state
  • Registered agent for a year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • EIN application
  • State fees at cost

For

  • Flat $199/yr for everything listed
  • EIN application included
  • Same $199 next year

Against

  • Renewal $100 higher than IL Registered Agent.org
Mainstay Filing sitePartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Illinois only

3. Illinois Registered Agent.co: best for single-state companies

Form for $199; renew at $99 a year

Illinois Registered Agent.co ranks third since formation is $199 with the agent covered in year one, then $99 a year.

Not included: the Limited Liability Company Annual Report.

Price for price a tie with IL Registered Agent.org.

Price covers

  • Illinois formation filing
  • Agent for year one

For

  • Year-one agent included
  • Then $99 a year
  • $199 to form the LLC

Against

  • Limited Liability Company Annual Report not included
  • $99 charge for the EIN application
Illinois Registered Agent.co sitePartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Comparison

#ServiceFirst yearPer year after3-year costIncludes
1IL Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397illinois formation filing; agent for year oneIL Registered Agent.org sitePartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597formation filed with the state; registered agent for a year; annual report prepared and filedMainstay Filing sitePartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Illinois Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397illinois formation filing; agent for year oneIllinois Registered Agent.co sitePartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Read November 13, 2026; three years = year one + two renewals.

Key questions

How much to start an LLC in this state?

$150 at the state. A service adds $199 in year one.

State fees across three years, filing included: $300. ilsos.gov (October 2026) is the source of record

What starts the LLC?

Approval of one filing creates the LLC: the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5), lodged at the Illinois Secretary of State.

Statute: 805 ILCS 180/5-5. ilsos.gov (October 2026) is the source of record

A registered agent required?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

An Illinois resident, or a business authorized to do business in Illinois. The LLC cannot act as its own agent.

ilga.gov (October 2026) is the source of record

What is due after formation?

Calendar the Limited Liability Company Annual Report (annual, $75). The deadline rule says before the first day of the entity's anniversary month, which is worth a calendar entry.

Late fee: $100.

ilsos.gov (October 2026) is the source of record

Can I do it myself?

Yes. Self-filing costs the state's fees only: $300 over three years.

A service adds $397 to $597 over three years; with Mainstay Filing the reports are in that price.

What decided #1?

IL Registered Agent.org scores best on three-year price, which is 36% of the total.

Two criteria dominate: three-year price (36%) and chores removed from your list (26%).

Using IL Registered Agent.org instead of Mainstay Filing keeps $200 over three years.

Method

Illinois LLC requirements

RequirementRule or amountSource
LLC filing fee$150ilsos.gov (October 2026) is the source of record
Registered agentYes, the statute demands oneilga.gov (October 2026) is the source of record
Limited Liability Company Annual Report$75 every yearilsos.gov (October 2026) is the source of record
Three-year state total$300Sum of the rows above
The last row adds the filing, two reports and any minimum tax. Variable costs are explained in the text and left out of the sum.

More replies

EIN application included?

Only Mainstay Filing includes it. Elsewhere: IL Registered Agent.org $99, Illinois Registered Agent.co $99.

Late fee for the report?

$100.

Three-year cost of each?

IL Registered Agent.org will run $397, Mainstay Filing will run $597, Illinois Registered Agent.co will run $397, with state fees on top.

Where do the numbers come from?

State fees cite their official page; service prices come from the company's own site.

Is a service required?

Not required. The state takes filings from owners.

Best LLC service in Illinois?

IL Registered Agent.org, because $199 forms the LLC and the agent renews at $99. Then Mainstay Filing and Illinois Registered Agent.co.

Source list

  1. Reference line for Illinois Secretary of State, Department, drawn from ilsos.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  2. Reference line for Illinois Secretary of State, Department, drawn from ilsos.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  3. Reference line for 805 ILCS 180/5-5, drawn from ilga.gov and confirmed August 2026, as noted by our editors
  4. Reference line for Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, drawn from ilga.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  5. Reference line for Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, drawn from ilsos.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  6. Reference line for Illinois registered agent statute, drawn from ilga.gov and confirmed October 2026, as noted by our editors
  7. Price page: IL Registered Agent.org pricing page, accessed November 13, 2026
  8. Price page: Mainstay Filing Illinois service page, accessed November 13, 2026
  9. Price page: Illinois Registered Agent.co pricing page, accessed November 13, 2026