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Chicago Small Business Fees, 2026

Every state, county and city fee to start and run a business in Chicago. Plain English. Updated as rules change.

Last verified: October 11, 2026

What changed

Jan 1, 2026
Chicago Limited Business License went from $250 to $500 for 2 years. Regulated Business License went from $250 to $1,000 for 2 years.
Source: Beancount

Then $75 a year for the state annual report and $500 every 2 years for the city license.

Registered agent and a business address are separate. Lobi can handle both.

State

Item	Fee	How often	Who needs it
LLC Articles of Organization	$150	One time. $250 total for 24-hour service.	Anyone forming an Illinois LLC
LLC annual report	$75	Every year, due before the first day of your anniversary month	Every Illinois LLC
Late LLC annual report	$100 penalty	If filed 60 or more days late	LLCs that miss the deadline
LLC name reservation	$25	Holds a name for 90 days	Owners who want to hold a name before filing
LLC assumed name (DBA)	$30 to $150	Depends on the year in the state's 5-year cycle. Renews every 5 years.	LLCs doing business under another name
Corporation Articles of Incorporation	$150 plus initial franchise tax ($25 minimum)	One time	Anyone forming an Illinois corporation
Corporation annual report	$75 plus franchise tax	Every year	Every Illinois corporation

LLC Articles of Organization
$150
One time. $250 total for 24-hour service.
Anyone forming an Illinois LLC
LLC annual report
$75
Every year, due before the first day of your anniversary month
Every Illinois LLC
Late LLC annual report
$100 penalty
If filed 60 or more days late
LLCs that miss the deadline
LLC name reservation
$25
Holds a name for 90 days
Owners who want to hold a name before filing
LLC assumed name (DBA)
$30 to $150
Depends on the year in the state's 5-year cycle. Renews every 5 years.
LLCs doing business under another name
Corporation Articles of Incorporation
$150 plus initial franchise tax ($25 minimum)
One time
Anyone forming an Illinois corporation
Corporation annual report
$75 plus franchise tax
Every year
Every Illinois corporation

County

Item	Fee	How often	Who needs it
Assumed Business Name	$50	One time. Does not expire. You must publish a notice in a local newspaper within 15 days.	Sole proprietors and general partnerships. LLCs file their DBA with the state instead.

Assumed Business Name
$50
One time. Does not expire. You must publish a notice in a local newspaper within 15 days.
Sole proprietors and general partnerships. LLCs file their DBA with the state instead.

City

Item	Fee	How often	Who needs it
Limited Business LicenseSince January 1, 2026	$500	Every 2 years	Most offices, retail and service businesses
Regulated Business LicenseSince January 1, 2026	$1,000	Every 2 years	Food, massage, trades and other regulated activities

Limited Business License
$500
Every 2 years
Most offices, retail and service businesses
Since January 1, 2026
Regulated Business License
$1,000
Every 2 years
Food, massage, trades and other regulated activities
Since January 1, 2026

Confirm your license type and fee on your BACP renewal notice or the City of Chicago license lookup.

Free

Item	Fee	How often	Who needs it
Federal EIN	$0	One time	LLCs, corporations and anyone hiring
Illinois sales tax and withholding registration (MyTax Illinois)	$0	One time	Businesses that sell taxable goods or have employees

Federal EIN
$0
One time
LLCs, corporations and anyone hiring
Illinois sales tax and withholding registration (MyTax Illinois)
$0
One time
Businesses that sell taxable goods or have employees

Five short notes for Chicago owners every Friday. Fee changes included.

Fees change. This page is a guide, not legal or tax advice. Always confirm with the agency before you pay.