If you’re thinking about starting your own business, one of the first things you’ll need to do is choose the right legal structure. An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is a popular option for small businesses, and to set one up, the Illinois LLC Articles of Organization need to be filed with the Illinois Secretary of State.

This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Related: Guide to starting a business in Illinois

Steps To Fill Out the Illinois LLC Articles Of Organization

The following steps create a domestic Illinois LLC, which is the most common filing.  We have more information about forming a foreign LLC (an out-of-state LLC wanting approval to operate in the state) or a professional LLC (designated for LLCs offering professional services).

To get started, you can either apply on the Illinois Secretary of State’s website or download Form LLC-5.5.

Step 1: Choose the Type of LLC

Indicate whether you wish to establish a “standard” domestic Limited Liability Company or a Limited Liability Company that has the ability to establish as a series LLC.

Related: How to form an Illinois Series LLC

A limited liability company with the ability to establish a series, commonly referred to as a “Series LLC,” has the ability to essentially create a mini LLC within the larger LLC umbrella.  Real estate investors will often use the Series LLC to protect each property individually.

Step 2: Agree to Provisions

Read over the provisions.  If you don’t agree to any of these and want a different option, you will need to file the paper form. Here you are agreeing to:

• Having the Articles of Organization will be effective on the filing date. (You can elect to have the LLC start up to 90 later.
• Agreeing to the general business purpose statement. This is fine for most businesses and allows an LLC to engage in any legal business activity. (Some LLCs will choose a very defined purpose statement and will have to file the paper form.)
• The company will have one or more members on the date of filing.
• The LLC will have a perpetual existence. Some LLCs, mostly investment-related ones, will have a specific end date in mind to close the business.
• There not be any optional provisions to file.

Step 3: Name the LLC

Enter the name you want for the LLC.  The name of the LLC also has to differ from other entity names in the state of Illinois.  Learn how to check LLC name availability in Illinois.

The name of the LLC must include one of the following designators at the end of the business name:

• Limited Liability Company
• LLC
• L.L.C.
• L3C

If there is a name you want but are not ready to register the LLC, you can file the Application to Reserve a Name (Form LLC 1.15) with the Illinois Secretary of State. The name reservation will hold a name for up to 90 days for an additional fee.

Step 4: Enter the Principal Place of Business

In this section, enter the street address, city, state, and zip code of the initial principal office (sometimes referred to as the registered office address).  This address can be the LLC’s physical address, the address where the business records are stored, or the address of the registered agent.

Step 5: Appoint the Illinois Registered Agent

Under the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act, an Illinois registered agent must be identified for service of process to have an LLC in Illinois.  This can either be a resident of Illinois or a commercial registered agent service and must have a physical street address in the state to act as a point of contact to receive legal documents, tax notices, summons, subpoenas, etc., on behalf of the LLC.  A PO Box is not allowed.

You can act as your own registered agent in Illinois, and you are not required to pay for a registered agent.

Any individual meeting the requirements can be the agent; however, the agent’s name and address become public record, and with that comes a loss of privacy. This is more important for some entrepreneurs, especially when doing business from home or still employed.  Hiring a commercial Registered Agent service like Northwest Registered Agent will help keep the owner’s names from being publicly listed.

Step 6: Add the Names and Addresses of Managers and Members

This section is looking for the names and addresses of managers and/or members with the authority of manager.

• Member-Managed LLCs have members (LLC owners) who are active in the day-to-day operations of the business.
• Manager-Managed LLCs have managers hired by the LLC members to run the business, similar to a CEO of a corporation.

If the LLC is Member-Managed, all of the members would typically be entered.  If there is only one member, enter that member’s information. Member-Managed LLCs would enter the name of the manager(s).

Related: What is the Difference Between a Member-Managed LLC and Manager-Managed LLC?

Step 7: Obtain the Organizer’s Signature

The Organizer is someone who is involved with the LLC formation.  The Organizer may or may not be a member, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, but the initial member(s) could be listed as an organizer.
If the organizer agrees to the terms, they will sign and provide their contact information.

Related: Who can be an LLC Organizer? 

Step 8: Review the Entries

Review the information to ensure it is all correct.

Step 9: Select Processing

Choosing “no expedited service” saves $100 in filing fees, but the application won’t be reviewed for 10 business days, resulting in a total processing time of 3-4 weeks.  Requesting expedited service will reduce the time of reviewing the application down to 24 hours, resulting in the LLC’s total processing time of 1-2 business days.

Step 10: Pay and File the Illinois LLC Articles of Organization

Pay and file the Illinois Articles of Organization.

If mailing the LLC form, send two copies of the Articles of Organization and payment of state fees to:
Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
Limited Liability Division
501 S 2nd Street, Room 351
Springfield, IL 62756

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