Legal Counsel for Licensed Professionals Forming Professional Limited Liability Companies in Illinois
Linnemeyer Law provides focused legal services for licensed professionals forming Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs) in Illinois, including physicians, accountants, engineers, and other regulated professionals. We help ensure your PLLC formation is properly created, registered, and compliant with Illinois licensing requirements.
Flat Fee PLLC Formation
Most PLLCs $900 + Filing Fees*
Includes:
-Articles of Organization,
-EIN (Employer Identification Number)
-S-Election (if applicable)
IDFPR Registration
– Operating Agreement
-Registered Agent Service (5 years)
-Expedited Service Available
About Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs)
A Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is a form of limited liability company specifically designated for certain licensed professionals under Illinois law. PLLCs are designed to ensure that professional practices comply with state licensing and regulatory requirements while providing limited liability protection for business obligations.
Many professionals regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) are required to operate through a PLLC, including (but not limited to):
- Healthcare professionals (including doctors, physical therapists, dentists, psychologists, mental health professionals, etc.)
- Veterinarians
- Accountants
- Massage therapists
- Cosmetologists
- Detectives
- Architects
- Engineers
- And more
For the full list, visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website.
Important: While a PLLC provides limited liability protection for business debts and obligations, it does not shield licensed professionals from liability for their own professional malpractice or negligence.
Flat Fee PLLC Formation
Linnemeyer Law offers flat‑fee PLLC formation services starting at $900, plus filing costs, for licensed professionals forming a Professional Limited Liability Company in Illinois. This flat‑fee option is designed to provide clarity, predictability, and efficiency for professionals who want their PLLC formed correctly from the outset.
Our flat‑fee PLLC formation services are designed to handle the process from start to finish, including required filings with the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- Initial Consultation
- Name Availability Search
- Assistance with Choosing S Corp Election
- Registering PLLC with the IDFPR
- Operating Agreements
- Registered Agent Service
- Preparing and Filing Articles of Organization
- Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
Expedited service available.
Did You Accidentally File as an LLC?
This is a common issue for licensed professionals. If your business was initially formed as an LLC instead of a PLLC, Linnemeyer Law can assist with a PLLC Conversion by preparing and filing the required Articles of Amendment to correct the entity type and ensure compliance with Illinois licensing requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are our most commonly asked questions about Professional Limited Liability Companies.
What professions are required to form a PLLC?
All Illinois LLCs that provide professional services licensed by the IDFPR are required to be organized as a PLLC and comply with the Professional Limited Liability Act. The IDFPR regulates a variety of healthcare and occupational professionals, including physicians, therapists, cosmetologists, dentists, detectives, accountants, architects and engineers. See the full list.
Who can be a member/owner of a PLLC?
In Illinois, ownership of a PLLC is generally limited to licensed professionals authorized to provide the services offered by the firm. Managers, members, and employees who perform regulated professional services must hold the appropriate licenses issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). For certain healthcare and counseling professions, Illinois law requires that all owners and managers hold the same professional license.
Does a PLLC need an operating agreement?
An Operating Agreement is not required, but it is recommended. It is crucial for multi-member PLLCs to have an Operating Agreement to establish the relative ownership and management rights of the members. It is recommended that single-member PLLCs have an Operating Agreement for banking purposes and to serve as documentary evidence that the PLLC is being operated separately from the individual owner.
What filing fees are associated with forming a PLLC in Illinois?
The filing fee paid to the Illinois Secretary of State to file the Articles of Organization to for the PLLC is $150.00. There is an additional fee of $100.00 for expedited filing service. The standard PLLC application filed with the IDFPR is $50.00. Professionals that provide services in real estate, accounting, design professional services, detective/security-related services, and beauty, barbering or cosmetology services have separate applications with different filing fees. Please contact Linnemeyer Law, LLC for more information on filing fees for your PLLC.
Is it necessary to form a PLLC for your business?
You are not required to form a PLLC or Professional Corporation for your business that provides services licensed by the IDFPR, but it is highly recommended. Setting up a PLLC provides limited liability protection for the business owner and the business owner’s assets. Except for professional malpractice claims, a PLLC owner is not personally liable for the debts and obligations of the PLLC.
What is the tax classification of a PLLC?
A PLLC can be taxed as a disregarded entity, a partnership, an S-Corporation or a C-Corporation. By default, a single-member PLLC will be taxed as a disregarded entity for federal and state tax purposes. As a result of being “disregarded,” the PLLC does not file a separate tax return. Rather, its income and loss are reported on the tax return filed by the single member. A PLLC with multiple members is taxed as a partnership. A PLLC taxed as a partnership must file an IRS Form 1065 partnership tax return. Additionally, the PLLC must also give each member a Schedule k-1, showing each member’s share of partnership income, credits and deductions. Since a PLLC is a flow-through entity, each member then reports his or her share of income, credits and deductions on their individual 1040 and Schedule E. A single-member PLLC or a multiple-member PLLC may elect to be taxed as an S-Corporation (if it meets certain requirements) or a C-Corporation. This is accomplished by filing an election (form 2553 or 8832) with the IRS. The legal status of a PLLC is not changed by filing an election to be taxed as a Corporation, it continues to function as a PLLC for all other purposes. A PLLC that elects to be taxed as an S-Corporation must file an IRS Form 1120S tax return and a PLLC that elects to be taxed as a C-Corporation must file an IRS Form 1120 tax return.
What if a company was originally formed as an LLC (not a PLLC)?
If you accidentally formed your business as an LLC instead of a PLLC – no need to worry. This is a pretty common mistake. The first thing you’ll need to do is file Articles of Amendment with the Illinois Secretary of State. Learn more about how Linnemeyer Law can help by visiting our PLLC Conversion page.