Free guide · Chicago & Illinois · EN / RU / UA
This guide walks a laid-off CDL or delivery driver through starting a real service business in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois: what to register, what it actually costs, what to set up online, and how to get the first customers. No fluff and no income promises, just the steps in order.
01
The fastest launches use what you already know: trucks, routes, schedules, customers, and showing up on time. Trucking and dispatch are the obvious paths, but towing, junk removal, moving, hotshot, mobile detailing, and a dozen more run on the same skills with a lower cost of entry. Pick by three things: what you can do tomorrow, what people in your area already pay for, and what your budget can carry through the first slow month.
See all 18 driver-friendly paths on the offer page02
Registering a business in Illinois is cheaper than most people expect. The figures below are the published government fees. They change rarely, but verify before you file.
Illinois LLC (Articles of Organization)
$150 one-timeFiled online with the Illinois Secretary of State at ilsos.gov. This is what legally creates your company.
LLC annual report
$75 per yearDue every year in your formation month. Filing more than 60 days late adds a $100 penalty.
EIN, your federal tax ID
FreeIssued by the IRS at irs.gov in minutes. Never pay a third party for this; it is free by law.
Illinois Department of Revenue registration
FreeRequired if you sell taxable goods or services. Done online through MyTax Illinois.
City and county licenses
VariesIllinois has no general statewide business license. Chicago and each suburb set their own rules and fees, so check your city hall before you launch.
Insurance
Varies by tradeGeneral liability at minimum, commercial auto if you drive for the work. Get two or three quotes; prices differ a lot.
Fees per the Illinois Secretary of State and the IRS as of 2026. Verify current figures at ilsos.gov and irs.gov before filing. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
03
Print it, work it top to bottom. Most drivers complete this list in two to four weeks alongside the build.
- Pick the business and the service area you can actually cover.
- Choose a name and check it is free at ilsos.gov.
- File the LLC ($150) or register a sole proprietorship with your county.
- Get the free EIN from irs.gov.
- Open a separate business bank account.
- Sort insurance: general liability, plus commercial auto if you drive.
- Check Chicago or your suburb's license requirements for your trade.
- Set up the digital side: brand, website with a booking form, Google Business Profile.
- Put a phone system in place so no call goes unanswered while you work.
- Set up quotes and invoicing before the first job, not after.
04
Nobody hires the business they cannot find. These five moves cost little and compound fast.
Claim and fill your Google Business Profile
It is free, and for local services it is where most customers decide. Add real photos, your service area, and hours, then post weekly.
Ask every customer for a review
Reviews are the local currency. Ask the same day, send the direct link, and answer every review you get, good or bad.
Tell your network you are open
Former dispatchers, brokers, drivers, and neighbors send the first jobs. One honest message beats a hundred flyers.
Photograph the work
Before and after photos sell the next job. Post them to your profile and your site every single week.
Answer fast, quote fast
Most local jobs go to whoever responds first. If you cannot pick up while working, automate the answering; speed wins work.
How much does it cost to register a business in Illinois?
The core government costs are $150 one-time for an LLC, $75 per year for the annual report, and $0 for the federal EIN. Local licenses and insurance come on top and vary by city and trade. Verify current fees at ilsos.gov before filing.
Do I need an LLC before I can start working?
Many owners start as sole proprietors and form the LLC once jobs are flowing; the LLC adds liability protection and looks more established. It is a personal legal and tax decision, so a quick session with an accountant is money well spent. This guide is not legal advice.
What licenses do I need in Chicago?
It depends on the trade. Illinois has no general statewide business license, but Chicago licenses many activities itself and the suburbs each have their own rules. Check chicago.gov or your local city hall for your specific trade before taking jobs.
How long does the whole launch take?
The paperwork is days: an LLC filing is processed quickly and the EIN is instant. The full launch, with the brand, website, Google profile, and phone system, is realistically a few weeks. Plan two to five weeks from decision to first booked job.
What does HiKit actually do, and what stays on me?
We build the launch infrastructure: brand, website with booking, Google Business Profile, an AI agent that answers your phone, and invoicing automation. The registration, insurance, and the work itself stay yours. A free project plan (overview, scope, and market research) comes with every package and maps both halves for your specific case.
The guide covers the paperwork side. The digital side, brand, website, booking, Google profile, and a phone that always answers, is exactly what our Launch packages build, in English, Ukrainian, or Russian.
This guide is general information for Illinois, current as of 2026, and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Government fees change; confirm them at the official sources before filing. HiKit Studio provides digital infrastructure and marketing services and does not guarantee any income, clients, or business results.