Start a Business in Illinois Today

Step 1: Create a business plan for your Illinois company

The phrase “business plan” can sound intimidating, but it’s an important and necessary step when starting a business. A solid plan will underscore the feasibility of your business idea. It’ll also help you forge a plan of action for developing, operating, and growing the business.

Elements to Include

Think about including sections on customer personas, competition, the challenges you’ll face, and how you’ll overcome them. By doing so, you’ll gain credibility with potential investors. Set “S.M.A.R.T.” goals, look into the market and the competition, and think through your business structure and plans to receive tax breaks, grants, and loans.

Other Resources

Start with the Small Business Administration (SBA) offices in Chicago or Springfield, or any of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) mentors throughout the state. The Illinois Department of Employment Security can also provide information on labor market conditions and industry projections. Likewise, there are different Illinois Small Business Development Centers available that can offer professional guidance for startups and existing businesses.

Need help creating a business plan for your Illinois startup? We put together a comprehensive library of articles and guides on business planning.

Step 2: Choose a business structure

Before you start serving customers, you’ll need to choose a business structure for your company and, depending on the structure you choose, register it with the Illinois Secretary of State. Many small business owners choose between a sole proprietorship and a limited liability company (LLC). Both have pros and cons.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business entity to set up. As a sole proprietor, you may not have to file much more than a “doing business as” (DBA) form with your local county clerk’s office to abide by the Illinois Assumed Name Act. Without a DBA, you’ll have to operate under your personal legal name (e.g., John Smith) rather than a more professional-sounding business name (e.g., Smith Automotive).

All business income and losses are reported on your personal tax return, but you won’t have the same liability protection as an LLC. In other words, someone suing or otherwise trying to collect money from the business can go after your personal assets.

Limited Liability Company

An LLC structure usually protects your personal assets from being tied to the company’s debts and liabilities, which is helpful if your company gets sued or goes into debt. Plus, you’ll still pay taxes on profits through your individual tax return, but you’ll avoid being taxed twice for it, as a corporation would.

There’s some additional paperwork involved with structuring as an LLC, but not as much as would be required for a corporation.

Step 3: Determine your Illinois business costs

Your business type will dictate one-time, fixed, and ongoing expenses. A home-based business, for example, won’t have costs for office space or warehousing but may have special transportation and equipment needs. You might have ongoing expenses like phone, internet, and insurance.

You may also face the Illinois State LLC filing fee, the cost of creating a business website, and a small expense to apply for the aforementioned assumed business name, or “doing business as” (DBA) name, if you want or need one.

Estimate your one-time and monthly costs for marketing, employees, healthcare costs, insurance, travel, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation expenses. Figure out both your startup costs and scaled-up costs once the company starts to grow.

Step 4: Create a name for your Illinois business

You have important considerations when coming up with a name for your Illinois business. First, it should give at least a general idea of the products or services you offer. Second, it must be unique within the state of Illinois. In addition, your business name must abide by Illinois’s rules for naming businesses.

So, while Peoria Enterprises doesn’t say much about your offerings, Peoria Landscaping does. To ensure your choice of the business name isn’t already in use by another organization in the state, do a name search on the Illinois Secretary of State website. This will help prevent legal issues, confusion among customers, and ultimately wasted time and money.

Once you’ve secured a name, think about registering a domain name for your business website and creating social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms. If you struggle to come up with a unique and memorable name, consider using a business name generator. 

Step 5: Register your Illinois business and open a bank account

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Once you’ve chosen your business structure and filed the registration with the Illinois Secretary of State, apply for a federal employer identification number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You’re required to have if you have multiple business owners or plan to hire employees. Use this tax ID number to open a business bank account. You can open your business bank account yourself or have a partner do it by creating a special document called a banking resolution. Dedicated business bank accounts will keep personal and business accounts separate. That helps preserve LLC status.

Business Licenses and Permits

Next, apply for any permits or licenses required to do business in Illinois. That starts with a search of the state’s registration, licenses, and permits site. Permits and business licenses vary by industry, so you’ll have to do a little research to determine which agency oversees the regulations in your field.

For example, opening a pet shop will require you to understand the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s pet shop rules. But a business that provides hospice care is licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Business licenses and permits can be needed on the federal, state, and/or local levels. Because there’s no one central place to confirm whether your own business has all the licensing needed to operate legally, you’ll have to do some research. Our business license report can do the work for you.

Need more information about licenses and permits in Illinois? Read all about licenses for different industries and how to apply for them in our Illinois business licenses guide.

Business Insurance

Finally, research any insurance requirements for your business. For example, you’ll need workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. and consider investing in a business owner’s policy to protect your company with general liability, commercial property, or additional coverage options based on your specific needs.

Step 6: Market your business in Illinois

After determining your target market, craft a marketing plan that includes the major social media platforms, online communities, and local or online directories. Claim a free business profile on Google My Business to engage with Illinois customers across Google Search and Maps. Also consider joining the Illinois Chamber of Commerce or a local chamber that refers prospective customers to members first.

Print material, such as brochures and business cards, can elevate your marketing at Illinois trade shows. Search engine optimization (SEO) can help customers find your business website or blog when they use Google and other search engines.

Finally, customize your marketing approach. While it makes sense for a home-based web design company in Naperville to market globally, a plumber in Carbondale will want to limit marketing efforts to a smaller area.

Benefits of Opening a Business in Illinois

Owning a business in Illinois can give you flexibility, income growth, and control over your workflow and finances. Illinois has distinct advantages for a new business owner, including a per-capita personal income 6% over the national average, a less-competitive labor market, and plenty of access to capital.

The state’s 4.95% flat tax on personal income is a particular benefit to Illinois small business owners, most of whom claim profits on individual tax returns. The state also serves as a national transportation hub with more than 10 commercial airports and 25% of all U.S. freight traffic moving through Chicago.

Examples of Good Businesses to Start in Illinois

With one of the biggest cities in the country, plus miles of farmland, forests, and Great Lake coastline, Illinois supports a wide variety of different business types. Food trucks, florists, coffee shops, blogging companies, and digital marketing agencies can all thrive in the Land of Lincoln.

Consider also starting up a cleaning service, virtual assistant business, consultancy, or cake shop. And keep in mind that nearly 2 million businesses in the state have fewer than 100 employees, so companies that support other firms can carve out their own niche.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our list of the best businesses to start in Illinois.

Chill the ‘Champaign’

Whether you launch a home-based business in Chicago or lease a retail space in downtown Champaign, the state of Illinois has the resources, workforce diversity, and economic climate to help entrepreneurs start and grow a business. Even during the massive business closures caused by COVID-19, Illinois’s small companies were among some of the most resilient in the country. 

If you want to register a business in Illinois like an LLC, corporation, or S corporation, we’re here to help. And, once you’re up and running, check out our other services for helping you run and grow your business.

More on the topic:

• Open a Bakery in Illinois

Top Illinois Cities to Form Businesses

Chicago: Major global hub for finance, technology, manufacturing, and food processing. Dynamic startup ecosystem with strengths in fintech, biotech, and clean tech. Extensive transportation network, including O’Hare International Airport.

Aurora: Second-largest city in Illinois with lower business costs compared to Chicago. Strong in manufacturing, with growing sectors in retail and healthcare. Attracting new businesses with development in the downtown area.

Naperville: High quality of life and excellent schools, attracting professional services and tech firms. Suburban setting with easy access to Chicago’s resources. Vibrant business environment suitable for startups and established companies.

Rockford: Historical strength in manufacturing, especially aerospace. Initiatives to revitalize downtown and expand into healthcare and professional services. Proximity to Wisconsin, enhancing its regional economic appeal.

Peoria: Diversifying from a traditional industrial base to include healthcare and education. Home to Caterpillar Inc.’s global headquarters and a medical school. Encouraging innovation and research in related industries.

Each city offers a unique set of opportunities based on its industrial strengths and strategic advantages, making them suitable for a variety of business ventures in Illinois.