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3 Best LLC Services in Illinois (2026), Answered
In 2026, we rank Illinois Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and IL Registered Agent.org ($199), in that order, as the LLC formation services for Illinois. Budget $150 for the state plus $397 to $597 in service fees over three years.
By the LLC Answered editorial team
Answers updated November 13, 2026
Our funding: LLC Answered is reader-supported. We may earn money when you buy through links on this page, and the companies we rank are our partners. Prices come from each company's own pages and official state sources.
Quick reply
Short reply
Cost to form
$150, at filing
Every year after
$75 each twelve months
Registered agent
Required in this state
Who to hire
Illinois Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing then IL Registered Agent.org
The Illinois ranking
The scoring is explained on this page .
#1
Hire first
1. Illinois Registered Agent.co: best for a one-state LLC
Formation $199, agent renewal $99, plus the state fee
Why Illinois Registered Agent.co? Simply put, a three-year total of $397 results from its $99 renewal.
Three years cost less here than at Mainstay Filing, and cost counts most.
Responsibility for the Limited Liability Company Annual Report rests with you.
What is bundled
State filing done Agent for year one
Pluses
Then $99 yearly $199 to form No agent charge for year one
Downsides
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is yours to file $99 add-on for the EIN
#2
Works nationwide
2. Mainstay Filing: best for owners who want upkeep done for them
$199 a year and $150 to the state
Why Mainstay Filing second? Simply put, the annual report is part of the $199 annual price, next to formation and the registered agent.
Over three years it costs $200 more than Illinois Registered Agent.co, and cost carries the most weight.
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is part of the service, and only the state's $75 is added.
What is bundled
Formation filed with the state Registered agent for a full year Annual report submitted on time EIN request, handled No markup on state fees
Pluses
No increase ($199) $199 a year, everything listed EIN handled
Downsides
Illinois Registered Agent.co renews for $100 less
#3
Illinois only
3. IL Registered Agent.org: best for another local choice
Formation $199, agent renewal $99, plus the state fee
Third place: IL Registered Agent.org, where a three-year total of $397 results from its $99 renewal.
Responsibility for the Limited Liability Company Annual Report rests with you.
Price for price it ties Illinois Registered Agent.co.
What is bundled
State filing done Agent for year one
Pluses
No agent charge for year one Then $99 yearly $199 to form
Downsides
The Limited Liability Company Annual Report is yours to file $99 add-on for the EIN
The table
# Who Start price Renews at Three-year cost Price buys
1
Illinois Registered Agent.co $199 $99/yr $397 state filing done; agent for year one
See Illinois Registered Agent.co pricing
Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2
Mainstay Filing $199 $199/yr $597 formation filed with the state; registered agent for a full year; annual report submitted on time
See Mainstay Filing pricing
Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3
IL Registered Agent.org $199 $99/yr $397 state filing done; agent for year one
See IL Registered Agent.org pricing
Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Company prices on November 13, 2026, before state fees.
The questions, one by one
How much should I put aside?
The state's share is $150. A service takes $199 more in the first year.
After three years, the state has charged $300 in total. see ilsos.gov , as of October 2026, state page
Where does the formation paperwork go?
The Illinois Secretary of State accepts the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5); its approval is what forms the company.
The rule comes from 805 ILCS 180/5-5. see ilsos.gov , as of October 2026, state page
Can the LLC go without a registered agent?
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.
see ilga.gov , as of October 2026, state page
What does upkeep cost?
Chiefly the Limited Liability Company Annual Report, once annually. The fee is $75. The state's deadline reads: before the first day of the entity's anniversary month, so note it early.
Filing late means $100 more.
see ilsos.gov , as of October 2026, state page
Do I have to hire anyone to file?
You can do it yourself, and the three-year cost is then $300 in state fees.
Expect to pay $397 to $597 across three years if you hire.
What put the top pick on top?
Illinois Registered Agent.co leads on three-year price, a 36% test.
We weigh three-year price first and paperwork covered second, then three smaller tests.
$397 for three years at Illinois Registered Agent.co is $200 below Mainstay Filing.
Read the process
What Illinois requires
Question Answer Cited at
Formation fee
$150 see ilsos.gov , as of October 2026, state page
Registered agent
Required in this state see ilga.gov , as of October 2026, state page
Limited Liability Company Annual Report
$75 every year see ilsos.gov , as of October 2026, state page
Paid to the state by year 3
$300 Sum of the rows above
The final row is a sum, not a state figure: filing fee, then years two and three of reports, then minimum tax where it applies.
Glossary for this page
Registered agent The party on file with the state for receiving the LLC's legal documents at a physical address.
Annual report A check-in the state requires to keep the LLC in good standing. Rules and fees depend on the state.
Also asked
Will they get my EIN for me?
The EIN application costs nothing more at Mainstay Filing and $99 more at Illinois Registered Agent.co, $99 more at IL Registered Agent.org.
How much does a late filing cost?
A late filing carries $100.
What does each charge over three years?
Totals: Illinois Registered Agent.co at $397, Mainstay Filing at $597, IL Registered Agent.org at $397, with state fees on top.
What are your sources?
State side: Illinois's published fee schedules and forms. Service side: the prices each company lists.
Must I hire a service?
Hiring is optional. The law asks for a filing, not for a filer.
Who is your first choice in Illinois?
Illinois Registered Agent.co, because year one is $199 and each later year is $99. Then Mainstay Filing and IL Registered Agent.org.
Our evidence
Illinois Secretary of State, Department: ilsos.gov , last confirmed August 2026
Illinois Secretary of State, Department: ilsos.gov , last confirmed August 2026
805 ILCS 180/5-5: ilga.gov , last confirmed August 2026
Illinois formation fee: Filing fee: ilga.gov , last confirmed October 2026
Illinois formation fee: Filing fee: ilsos.gov , last confirmed October 2026
Illinois registered agent statute: ilga.gov , last confirmed October 2026
Prices on the Illinois Registered Agent.co pricing page, read November 13, 2026
Prices on the Mainstay Filing Illinois service page, read November 13, 2026
Prices on the IL Registered Agent.org pricing page, read November 13, 2026