Why Illinois?
Higher fees, but Illinois — and Chicago in particular — is a major business hub. Worth it if you have Illinois-based activity. Non-residents can form a Illinois LLC without any US address, SSN, or physical presence. Edeal handles the registered agent requirement and the entire filing process.
Most non-residents registering a US LLC choose Wyoming ($100 filing fee, $60/year) or Delaware (investor-friendly). Illinois makes the most sense when you have clients, a team, or a physical presence in Illinois.
State Fees
These are government fees paid to the State of Illinois — not Edeal's service fee. Edeal registers your LLC for $1 + state fees.
LLC Formation
- Filing fee: $150 — one-time, paid to the Illinois Secretary of State
- Annual fee: $75/yr — annual report, paid to the State of Illinois to keep your LLC in good standing
- Registered Agent: required by law — Edeal provides a registered agent as part of its service
All fees are set by the State of Illinois and publicly available from the Illinois Secretary of State's office.
Who Illinois Is Right For
- Businesses with physical presence in Illinois — employees, office space, or warehouse
- Companies serving Illinois-based customers — local nexus justifies registration here
- Non-residents when you have clients, a team, or a physical presence in Illinois
Who Illinois Is Not the Best Fit For
- Freelancers and remote businesses without Illinois ties — Wyoming or Delaware are usually more cost-effective
- Non-residents seeking maximum privacy — Wyoming offers stronger member privacy protections
- Businesses optimizing purely for cost — the $150 filing fee and $75/yr Annual Report sit above the lower-cost states built for remote owners
If you are unsure which state fits your situation, see our guide on how to choose a state before you register.
For Non-Residents: What to Consider in Illinois
Citizenship and residency do not prevent you from owning an Illinois LLC — a non-resident can be the sole member. A few practical points matter more than the filing fee itself:
- Nexus and foreign LLC. If your actual operations run in another state while the LLC is formed in Illinois, you will likely need to register as a foreign LLC where you do business — meaning duplicate fees. Form where you actually operate.
- Registered agent is mandatory. You need an agent with a physical Illinois address to receive official correspondence — Edeal provides this as part of the service.
- Bank account and EIN. Opening a US bank account generally requires an EIN; a physical visit is usually not needed, but banks look at the company's connection to the state.
- Annual reporting. The Annual Report is filed every year; missing it leads to penalties and, eventually, administrative dissolution of the LLC.
FAQ
Do I need to visit Illinois or have a US address to register an LLC?
No. Non-residents from any country can register a Illinois LLC without visiting the state, without a US address, and without an SSN. The only requirement is a registered agent with a Illinois address — Edeal provides this.
What is the annual fee for a Illinois LLC?
The annual government fee for a Illinois LLC is $75/yr (Annual Report). This fee is paid to the State of Illinois to keep your LLC in good standing — it is a mandatory government fee, not an income tax rate.
Can I open a US bank account with a Illinois LLC?
Yes. A Illinois LLC formed through Edeal comes with the documentation typically required by US banks and fintechs (Mercury, Relay, Brex). Having an EIN is usually also required — Edeal can assist with that process.
Should a non-resident with no US business choose Illinois?
Usually not. Without customers, a warehouse, or a team in the state, the $150 filing fee and $75/yr Annual Report are not justified — for a purely remote business, Wyoming is cheaper and simpler.
What happens if I operate in another state with an Illinois LLC?
You create nexus in the state where you actually do business, and the LLC will likely need to register as a foreign company there — meaning extra fees and reporting. That is why the state of formation should match where you really operate. See how to choose a state for the full breakdown.