Startup Costs in Illinois

Data current as of May 2026

Illinois benefits from Chicago's status as a major business hub with excellent infrastructure, a deep labor pool, and access to the entire Midwest market. Outside Chicago, costs drop significantly. The state's flat income tax rate and rising minimum wage are factors to plan around, but the customer base density in the Chicago metro makes up for it.

Illinois (IL) by the Numbers

LLC Filing Fee
$150
Annual Report
$75
State Income Tax
4.95%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Min Wage
$15.00/hr
Cost of Living
0.98x
Labor Cost
1.02x
Rent Index
0.95x

What Illinois' Numbers Mean for Founders

  • State income tax caps at 4.95%.
  • Minimum wage is $15.00/hour - on the high end nationally, which lifts your entry-level labor costs.
Capital: Springfield
Major metros: Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Rockford
Top industries: Finance, Manufacturing, Transportation, Agriculture

Illinois Cost Guides (10)