We can help you search for the right business name, register your LLC with the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), and more. We’ve got all the information you need on conducting an Illinois business search, LLC naming rules, using an assumed name, and registering your business.
General Rules for LLC Names
These rules typically apply to all LLCs, no matter what state they are formed in.
Your LLC Name Must Be Unique
The business name you've chosen cannot be used by any other LLC or corporation in the State of Illinois. This is why it's imperative to perform an IL SOS business search before you begin the filing process.
Your LLC Name Must Not Be Confusable with Another Business Name
It’s not enough for your LLC name to be unique. It also cannot be similar to the name of another corporation or LLC in Illinois. In addition, you cannot use the following factors to say your name is different from the name of another business: Suffixes, such as Corporation, Company, Incorporated, Incorporation, Limited, Corp., Co., Inc., Ltd., LLC, etc. Definite articles, such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” The conjunction "And," or “&." The singular, plural or possessive forms of words Abbreviations, punctuation, symbols, fonts, typefaces, etc.
Your LLC Name Must Contain Certain Words
All LLCs must have the words “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC” in their names, normally at the end of the name.
Your LLC Name May Have Other General Restrictions
Most states will not allow you to form LLCs with names that:
- Are too similar to the name of a federal or state agency or organization (e.g., FBI, FDA, Illinois Comptroller, Illinois Police, Treasury, etc.)
- Suggest affiliation with a federal or state agency or organization
- Use the term “Olympic” or any terms that are trademarks of the International Olympic Committee
- Imply a purpose that would be illegal for your business to carry out
Specific Illinois Business Name Rules
In addition to the general rules listed above, Illinois has some specific business naming guidelines. You’ll need to follow them to appropriately name your business. For example, the name:
Coming Up with the Ideal Business Name
Giving your business the perfect name can be difficult. We’ve put together a complete guide to choosing the right business name, but essentially, you'll want to choose a name that will:
- Best demonstrate your product or services
- Be unique from any other business in the state
- Attract customers
- Not be used by another business
- Be memorable enough to stand out
Need help coming up with business name ideas? Try our free name generator.
Illinois Business Search
Once you’ve found a name you like, you’ll need to perform an Illinois entity search to make sure another business isn’t already using it. Bizee offers a fast, simple, and convenient tool to research the business name you want. The Illinois SOS also has a tool that lets you search the registry of LLCs and corporations to see whether another business is already using your name.
Find Out Whether Your Preferred Business Name is Available in Illinois With Bizee’s Free Tool
Check Your LLC Name
Trademarks and Service Marks
You must be careful that your Illinois LLC name doesn’t infringe on the trademark or service mark that another business holds. The easiest way to ensure compliance is to complete a trademark search through Bizee. If no one else is using the trademark or service mark, you can even register it yourself.
Make Sure Your Business is Starting Off on the Right Foot When It Comes to Intellectual Property.
Bizee’s Trademark and Registration Service
Illinois DBA or Assumed Name
You may do business as a different name from your legal LLC name. In some states, this is called a DBA (doing business as) name. In Illinois, it’s known as an assumed name. You may choose to use an assumed name for a variety of reasons. For example, your LLC might be called Illinois Great Lakes Holding Company LLC and you have a chain called Shoreline Tourism and Leisure. You should file an assumed name to let the Illinois SOS know. In Illinois, you do that with the Application to Adopt, Change, Cancel, or Renew an Assumed Name, or you can have Bizee do it on your behalf through our Trade Name service. Note: A trade name is not the same as a trademark.
Register and Manage a DBA or Assumed Name Through Our Easy-to-Use DBA Name Service
Bizee’s Assumed Name Service
Register Your Business Name with the Illinois SOS
Once you’ve completed an Illinois business entity search, checked availability, followed the naming rules and decided whether you need a trade name, you can register your LLC name. There are a couple of ways to do this.
- If you don’t want to form your LLC right now, you can reserve the business name. You’ll need to complete an Application to Reserve a Name and file it with the Illinois SOS. Once you do so, your name will be reserved for 90 days. You don’t need to reserve a name if you’re forming your business right away
- If you’re ready to start your LLC, you can file your Articles of Organization with the Illinois SOS, or have Bizee do it for you.
Bizee Can Handle All Your Formation Paperwork With the State of Illinois For You — and We’ll Do it for Free!
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FAQs About Illinois Business Names
How Do I Search for My Illinois Business Name?
Just go to the free Business Name Search tool and enter your proposed business name. You can also perform an Illinois Secretary of State business search of the state's registry, which will tell you whether there are any corporations or LLCs with that name in the state.
Are There Any Rules for Naming My LLC in Illinois?
Yes. Most LLCs will be bound by general rules applicable to all LLCs and specific rules to the State of Illinois. We’ve detailed these rules above.
Can I Do Business in Illinois Under a Name Different from My LLC Name?
Yes. You can conduct business under an assumed name. Details are above.
Can I Reserve a Name for My LLC in Illinois?
Yes. If you don’t want to start your business immediately, the Illinois SOS allows you to reserve a name. Details are above. But if you’re ready to start your business now, this step isn’t necessary.
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