Starting a business in Illinois requires a solid understanding of how to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a businessperson from out of state looking to set up shop, you need to be aware of the local regulations and requirements before starting the process. To help you get started on the right foot, this article explores the top 5 things to consider when forming an LLC in Illinois.

1. Understand the Benefits of Forming an LLC in Illinois

The state of Illinois offers limited liability protection to LLC owners and members. This protection ensures that business owners cannot be held personally liable for any debts or liabilities incurred by the company. Additionally, when LLCs pay taxes, the profits are not subject to double taxation. This means that the LLC owners are only taxed on their share of profits, rather than the entire sum.

Other benefits include flexible management, which allows businesses to establish anything from a single-member LLC to a larger, multiple-member LLC. With an LLC, sole proprietors and partners are also able to divide profits and losses according to predetermined percentages.

Finally, forming an LLC in Illinois requires less paperwork than forming a corporation. An LLC's Articles of Organization are the only documents that need to be drawn up, filed, and approved by the state before operating.

2. Determining the Member(s) of Your LLC

When forming an LLC in the state of Illinois, the number of owners, or members, is an important consideration. Depending on the number of members, an LLC in Illinois can be treated as a disregarded entity, a single-member LLC, a multiple-member LLC, or a professional LLC.

If a single-member LLC fails to follow certain regulations or state-mandated procedures, it may be subject to forfeiture. A multiple-member LLC, on the other hand, has immunity from forfeiture and allows members to manage the company without limitations.

3. Familiarizing Yourself With Illinois' Name Requirements

Before filing your LLC paperwork in Illinois, you will need to select a name for your business. All LLC names must be unique and follow state-mandated rules and regulations. The name must also include either “limited liability company,” “LLC,” or an abbreviation of one of these terms.

Assuming all requirements are fulfilled, you should be able to register and reserve your LLC name with the Secretary of State. If you are planning to operate outside of the state, you may also want to register with the IRS to create an alternate LLC name and gain federal tax exemptions.

4. Choosing the Right Location for Your LLC

Once you have chosen the name, it is time to decide where to form your LLC. While you are not required to operate your business in the same state where you registered the LLC, if you decide to form the LLC in Illinois, you will need to provide an address for both the Registered Office and a separate, permanent office.

If you are a non-resident, you will need to retain a registered agent in the state of Illinois to receive service of process on behalf of the LLC.

5. Understanding the Fees Involved in Forming an LLC in Illinois

The fees related to forming an LLC in Illinois vary depending on many factors, such as the number of members, the type of LLC, and the amount of capital invested. The typical fee for filing LLC Articles of Organization is $150. If you want to expedite the filing process, you must file for expedited service, which costs an additional $100.

If you are located in Dallas, there are several local attorneys who understand the specific regulations and requirements of forming an LLC in Illinois. To ensure that you are in compliance with state laws, it is important to obtain adequate legal counsel from experienced business attorneys.

Topics:

Limited Liability Company,

LLC Attorney,

Articles of Organization