If you’re thinking of starting a limited liability company (LLC) in Illinois, you’ll want to know in advance how much it’s going to cost. LLCf ...
How to File Articles of Organization in Illinois
Written by: Natalie Fell
Natalie is a business writer with experience in operations, HR, and training & development within the software, healthcare, and financial services sectors.
Edited by: David Lepeska
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Updated on May 1, 2023

How to File Articles of Organization in Illinois
- What are Articles of Organization?
- How to File the Illinois Articles of Organization
- Illinois Secretary of State Contact Info
- The Bottom Line
In Illinois, as in most states, the primary step in creating a limited liability company (LLC) is to file articles of organization with the state. This is an absolutely crucial document that helps define your business, so it’s important to do it correctly.
An LLC is a business entity that offers liability protection for owners, as well as pass-through taxation, much like a sole proprietorship.
What are Articles of Organization?
The articles of organization is a legal document you need to file with the state to form your LLC. It will specify details about your company and establish your LLC as an officially registered business entity in Illinois.
The document is similar to the articles of incorporation you would file to form a corporation instead of an LLC.

How to File the Illinois Articles of Organization
In Illinois, the process to file articles of organization is quite simple. The crucial first step is gathering the required information about your new LLC, before proceeding with the filing itself.
Here are the steps you’ll need to take to create your new business entity:
- Gather the required information about your business.
- Entity name
- Entity address
- Registered agent name
- Registered office address
- Business purpose
- Governing authority type
- Effective date
- Duration
- Visit the Illinois Secretary of State website
Find the Illinois articles of organization form here. It’s easiest to fill out the form online and file immediately, but you can also download it, fill it out and mail it in.

- Filling out Articles of Organization Document
To file your articles of organization online, head to the LLC Articles of Organization section of the Secretary of State website. Read the guidelines and click “File” at the bottom of the page.

On the first page of the form, select whether you want to form a standard LLC or one with the ability to establish a series and click “Continue”. On the next page, read through the provisions, click “yes” and click “Continue”.
The next several screens ask you to input your business name, principal place of business, registered agent information, and names and addresses of any managers and members. On the last page of the form, enter in your contact information as your attestation and click “Continue”.
The last screen offers you an opportunity to review all of your information before filing. If everything looks correct, click “Continue”. You will then be asked if you would like to expedite your filing. Make your selection and click “Continue” to be brought to the payment screen.
When filling out your articles of organization form, be sure to double-check that all the information is accurate and up-to-date. Maybe you’ve just moved, or use your middle initial in official documents, such as with your bank account. If you get it wrong now, changing it later can be a real pain. So accuracy is crucial.
- File Articles of Organization – The final step in the process is to submit payment through the website’s payment screen or mail in all documentation. The filing fee in Illinois is $150. You also can pay an extra fee to expedite processing time. If you choose the standard option, your LLC should be officially formed within 10 business days.

Illinois Secretary of State Contact Info
Illinois Secretary of State Website
Business Services – Online LLC Articles of Organization Form
Physical Address:
213 State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone:
800-252-8980 (toll free in Illinois)
217-785-3000 (outside Illinois)
Chicago Business Information Line: 312-793-3380
Business Services Contact Form
The Bottom Line
In Illinois, it’s relatively easy to create an LLC, but you do need to jump through a few hoops. You now have all the information you need to officially create your new business and begin your entrepreneurial journey in the Prairie State.
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