Class 2 · Illinois
Illinois Registered Agent Class (2026): 6 Assignments and the 3 Best Agents
The quick version
What this class teaches
- What the law says
- Who can act as agent
- Getting the agent listed
- Who we would hire as agent
If you want someone else to file
1. Illinois Registered Agent.co: best for owners based in the state
Illinois Registered Agent.co gets first place, and the reason is that $99 a year secures an Illinois agent with an office inside the state.
Its three-year bill is lower than Mainstay Filing's, which wins first place because tuition counts 30%.
Covered by the tuition
- A physical address in Illinois
- Served documents appear online
Strengths
- $99 a year, same at renewal
- Under Mainstay Filing on price
Weak spots
- Serves Illinois alone
- Limited Liability Company Annual Report is homework it leaves to you
2. IL Registered Agent.org: best for an in-state mailing address
Grade number 2 belongs to IL Registered Agent.org, where $99 a year secures an Illinois agent with an office inside the state.
On price, it is level with Illinois Registered Agent.co.
Covered by the tuition
- A physical address in Illinois
- Served documents appear online
Strengths
- Under Mainstay Filing on price
- $99 a year, same at renewal
Weak spots
- Serves Illinois alone
- Limited Liability Company Annual Report is homework it leaves to you
3. Mainstay Filing: best for one agent for every state
Our third pick, Mainstay Filing: a flat $149 a year, whichever state the LLC sits in.
Add up three years: it comes to $150 more than Illinois Registered Agent.co.
Covered by the tuition
- A registered office in Illinois
- Scans of papers served on the company, free and on the same business day
- Three government letters a year are scanned free
- Also serves nonprofits, corporations, LPs and LLPs
Strengths
- $149 each year, no increase
- Goes with you to any state
Weak spots
- $50 more a year than the local pick
- Reports stay on your plate
All the tuition in one table
| # | Service | Annual price | Renewal price | Three-year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois Registered Agent.co | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit Illinois Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 2 | IL Registered Agent.org | $99 | $99/yr | $297 | Visit IL Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
| 3 | Mainstay Filing | $149 | $149/yr | $447 | Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy. |
The assignments
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Assignment
1Learn the requirement
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Textbook page: ilga.gov (page read October 2026)
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Assignment
2Who can take the role
An Illinois resident, or a business authorized to do business in Illinois. The LLC cannot act as its own agent. This is in 805 ILCS 180/1-35.
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Assignment
3Use an office address that qualifies
The address has to be a registered office in Illinois that matches the agent's business office. A P.O. box alone is not accepted.
Every graded service supplies the Illinois office address.
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Assignment
4Decide who holds the role
Owners who qualify can name themselves, and the graded agents charge $99 to $149 each year.
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Assignment
5Report the agent's details
The agent of a brand-new LLC is listed on the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-5.5), sent to the Illinois Secretary of State. Swapping agents later means filing an amendment with the same office.
Textbook page: ilsos.gov (page read October 2026)
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Assignment
6Check the record every year
Each year the Limited Liability Company Annual Report confirms the agent's details for $75, by before the first day of the entity's anniversary month. A late filing costs $100.
Textbook page: ilsos.gov (page read October 2026)
Agent and state costs
| Entry | Goes to | Total |
|---|---|---|
| The agent | Your service | $99 to $149 a year |
| From year two | Your service | $99 to $149 a year |
| Limited Liability Company Annual Report | Paid to the state | $75 every year |
How the grades came out
On tuition across three years (30% of the grade) came out on top, with close behind.
Illinois Registered Agent.co wins the cost criterion with $297 over three years, against $150 more at Mainstay Filing.
Illinois pop quiz
Is a registered agent required in Illinois?
Yes. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
Can I be my own registered agent?
An owner can serve if eligible; the tests are in assignments 2 and 3.
Can I change my registered agent later?
You can. An existing LLC files a change with the Illinois Secretary of State; see assignment 5.
What does a registered agent cost in Illinois?
Plan on $99 to $149 a year.
What does the LLC pay the state each year?
Yearly it is the Limited Liability Company Annual Report at $75.
Which registered agent would you choose?
Illinois Registered Agent.co, IL Registered Agent.org and Mainstay Filing, from the highest grade to the lowest.
Textbook pages and extra reading
- The Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services lesson rests on ilsos.gov, read again in August 2026; check our work against it.
- The Illinois Secretary of State, Department of Business Services lesson rests on ilsos.gov, read again in August 2026; check our work against it.
- The 805 ILCS 180/5-5 lesson rests on ilga.gov, read again in August 2026; check our work against it.
- The Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source lesson rests on ilga.gov, read again in October 2026; check our work against it.
- The Illinois formation fee: Filing fee, official source lesson rests on ilsos.gov, read again in October 2026; check our work against it.
- The Illinois registered agent statute lesson rests on ilga.gov, read again in October 2026; check our work against it.
- Pulled November 13, 2026: pricing page from Illinois Registered Agent.co
- Pulled November 13, 2026: pricing page from IL Registered Agent.org
- Pulled November 13, 2026: Illinois service page from Mainstay Filing