Business names
Assumed names (DBAs) in Illinois
LLCs file with the state
An LLC files Form LLC-1.20 with the Secretary of State, not with the county. Fees are prorated so registration ends in a year divisible by 5. Renewals run in 5-year increments.
| Filing year ends in | Fee |
|---|---|
| 0 or 5 | $150 |
| 1 or 6 | $120 |
| 2 or 7 | $90 |
| 3 or 8 | $60 |
| 4 or 9 | $30 |
Forms are on the Secretary of State LLC forms page.
Sole proprietors file with the county clerk
Under the Assumed Business Name Act (805 ILCS 405), you need a filing for any business name other than your full legal name. “Jones Wrecking” needs one; “John Jones” does not.
| County / clerk | Fee | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cook — Cook County Clerk | $50 | Online filing; newspaper publication required. |
| DuPage — DuPage County Clerk, Wheaton | $10; duplicate certificate $5 | File with the county clerk. |
| Will — Will County Clerk, Joliet | $10 | Publish in a Will County newspaper within 15 days of filing; return the certificate of publication within 50 days. |
| Kane — Kane County Clerk | $10; notary $1; changes $5 | Owners sign before a notary. |
| Lake — Lake County Clerk | Confirm with the clerk | The clerk provides a publisher’s list for legal notices. |
| McHenry — McHenry County Clerk, Woodstock | $5; amendments $5 | Notary signature required. |
The state statute sets a publication requirement, but counties run it differently. Confirm the process with your county clerk.
Reserving an LLC name
Form LLC-1.15 reserves an LLC name for 90 days and costs $25.
A business name is not a trademark
Registering an LLC or an assumed name does not create trademark rights. Illinois trademark registration protects a mark only in Illinois. Federal USPTO registration protects nationwide and is the better choice if you sell online or across state lines.
Not sure which structure fits? Try the Structure Finder, or request help. Call (331) 261-4788
General information, not legal or tax advice.