Business License by State

Business License by State › Illinois

Illinois business license (2026)

We could not confirm from Illinois’s own pages whether the state requires a general business license, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is linked below.

  • State page read October 21, 2026
  • Not confirmed: check locally

Illinois at a glance

State rule
Not confirmed from the state’s pages: check with your city or county
Next step
Ask your city or county clerk, and check the licensing board for your industry.
Forming an LLC
$150 with the Illinois Secretary of State
Best overall in Illinois

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year, same at renewal

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Questions

Does Illinois require a business license?

We could not confirm from Illinois’s own pages whether the state requires a general business license, so check with your city or county. The state’s starting-a-business page is linked below.

Who do I contact in Illinois?

Your city or county clerk, the licensing board for your industry, and the Illinois Secretary of State for forming the company.

Is a Illinois LLC the same as a license?

No. Forming the LLC is a filing with the Illinois Secretary of State, which charges $150. A license, where one applies, is a separate step.

Sources