Where Do I Start? STEP BY STEP GUIDE Starting a Business in Illinois This guide will inform you of various legal requirements and direct you to additional resources. If you have any questions contact the First Stop Business Information Center of Illinois or call 800-252-2923 or TDD: 800-785-6055 and a staff member will assist you. Feasibility Checklist A feasibility checklist is a tool that is used to evaluate the potential success of a new or existing business opportunity. Business Plan A business plan is vital in determining the credibility of a new business opportunity. It can be used as a management tool and may be required if financing is needed. It also demonstrates to prospective investors a well defined course of action. How Do I Register My Business or Obtain a Business License? Illinois Department of Professional Regulation The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDPR) is the main licensing agency for the State of Illinois for most professions. Individuals must be licensed prior to conducting business as one of the listed professions. Determine the Structure of the Business There are several ways to organize businesses in Illinois. They are Sole Proprietorships, General and Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP), Limited Liability Companies (LLC), "S" Corporations and "C" Corporations. Before selecting a business type, consult an attorney or accountant for assistance in determining which one is best for your business. a. Sole Proprietorship and General Partnership b. Limited Partnership c. Limited Liability Company d. Registered Limited Liability Partnership e. "C" Corporation f. "S" Corporation 1 12/2004
Where Do I Register the Name of My Business? Choosing A Business Name When the business name is different from the owner's full legal name, the "Assumed Name Act" requires you to register the business name with your county clerk's office, regardless to the structure of the business. Business Tax Registration Internal Revenue Service (IRS) The Internal Revenue Service has created "Your Business Tax Kit." Included in this kit is the IRS's criteria for determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor as well as a Tax Guide for Small Business and various registration forms. Internal Revenue Service Forms Distribution Center PO Box 8902 Bloomington, Illinois 61702-8902 1-800-829-3676 TDD: 1-800-829-4059 Illinois Department Of Revenue (IDOR) In Illinois, most business are required to be registered and/or licensed by the IDOR. If you plan to hire employees, buy or sell products wholesale or retail, or manufacture goods, you must register with the IDOR. To obtain the IDOR's Business Registration Kit, contact: Illinois Department of Revenue Central Registration Division PO Box 19030 Springfield, Illinois 62794-9030 1-800-732-8866 TDD: 1-800-544-5304 Local Tax Registration and Requirements Some municipalities and counties impose their own taxes in addition to the state and federal taxes that most businesses are responsible for. New businesses should contact their local revenue department to determine if additional taxes apply to their business activities. Many communities restrict advertising, regulate pricing or require zoning permits. Contact your city or county clerk for information on local restrictions. 2 12/2004
Licenses And Permits Required By Law Some occupations and occupational activities are regulated by federal, state and local governments to protect the public's health, safety and welfare by ensuring that individuals who are engaged in these vocations or professions are qualified. To determine if your occupational activities are regulated contact the First Stop Business Information Center at firststop@illinoisbiz.biz. What If I Have Employees? Unemployment Insurance Typically a business is required to make unemployment insurance contributions to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) if they have: 1) employed one or more workers in each of 20 or more calendar weeks; or 2) paid at least $1,500 in total wages during the calendar quarter. IDES offers a New Employer Packet. To request this packet, contact: Department of Employment Security Division of Unemployment Insurance 401 South State Street Chicago, Illinois 60605 312-793-4880 TDD: 1-800-526-0844 Illinois Department of Professional Regulation The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDPR) is the main licensing agency for the State of Illinois. IDPR provides an on-line database listing every individual licensed with their agency. Anti-Discrimination Laws The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for the enforcement of all anti-discrimination laws. These laws include: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Equal Pay Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Business owners should acquaint themselves with these laws because they affect the company's hiring practices. To order information on these laws, contact: EEOC Publications Office PO Box 12549 Cincinnati, Ohio 45212 1-800-669-3362 Fax: 513/489-8692 TDD: 1-800-800-3302 Material Orders Only TDD: 1-800-669-6820 Workers' Compensation Insurance Under the Workers' Compensation and Workers' Occupational Diseases Acts, an employer is required to provide insurance for accidental deaths, injuries and 3 12/2004
occupational diseases of employees arising in the course of employment. Temporary workers who normally do not receive company benefits are still provided workers' compensation. Insurance generally is purchased through private companies. Companies can apply to the Workers' Compensation Commission to become selfinsured. For a free handbook, contact: Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission 100 West Randolph, 8-200 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Toll Free: 1-866-352-3033 312-814-6611 Employment Service/Labor Market Information The Illinois Department of Employment Security can assist you with finding new employees. Find out about labor market conditions and industry projections. Please visit www.illinoisskillsmatch.com or www.workinfo.state.il.us for more details. Wage Withholding for Child Support The Illinois Department of Public Aid is the Child Support Enforcement Agency for the State of Illinois. If you (as an employer) are served a Notice of Withholding, you are required by law to withhold a portion of an employee's income for payment of child support. For a copy of "Ensuring A Child's Birthright: An Illinois Employer's Guide To Income Withholding", contact: Illinois Department of Public Aid Division of Child Support Enforcement Employer Verification Unit PO Box 19405 Springfield, Illinois 62794-9405 217-782-1380 TDD: 217-524-3148 In Cook County: 312-793-3289 TDD: 312-814-1580 Immigration Reform and Control The Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires every employer to keep on file a form for every employee certifying that employee's identity and work eligibility. For further Information contact: Immigration and Naturalization Service 219 South Dearborn Chicago, Illinois 60604 312-353-7334 4 12/2004
What Posters Am I Suppose to Display? Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Businesses with 15 or more employees must display the poster from the EEOC entitled Equal Employment Opportunity is THE LAW. This poster is available upon request, contact: EEOC Publications Office PO Box 12549 Cincinnati, Ohio 45212 1-800-669-3362 Fax: 513/489-8692 TDD: 1-800-800-3302 Material Orders Only TDD: 1-800-669-6820 Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Employers need to display a workplace notice from the IIC regarding workers' compensation. U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Businesses with one or more employees must display these posters to inform employees of their rights: Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Safety poster, Family Medical Leave Act poster, Fair Labor Standard Act poster and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act poster. To request posters, contact: U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration Wage and Hour Division 509 West Capitol, Suite 205 Springfield, IL 62704 217-492-4060. Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) The Illinois Department of Employment Security poster is included in the IDES Employer Start-Up Kit. Department of Employment Security Division of Unemployment Insurance 401 South State Street Chicago, Illinois 60605 312-793-4880 TDD: 1-800-526-0844 Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) requires employers to display the poster entitled "Notice to Employers and Employees" which fulfills all IDOL's posting requirements for businesses in Illinois. For IDOL posters or more information about labor laws, contact: (Chicago/Northern Illinois) Illinois Department of Labor 5 12/2004
160 North LaSalle, Suite C-13001 Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-793-2800 How Do I Protect My Inventions, Products or Logos? Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights A trademark, servicemark or tradename is a word, name symbol, device or combination thereof, adopted and used by a manufacturer, service provider or merchant to identify goods and services in order to distinguish them from others. A patent gives legal recognition to the inventor, creator or discoverer of a new product, procedure or composition of matter. You may obtain a patent or federal trademark by fulfilling all the requirements of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For more information, contact: Patent & Trademark Depository Illinois State Library 300 South 2nd Street Springfield, Illinois 62701-1796 217-782-5659 TDD: 800-526-0844 The Harold Washington Library Center 400 South State Street Chicago, Illinois 60605 312-747-4450 TDD: 312-747-4499. State trademarks, servicemarks and tradenames can be obtained through: The Secretary of State Business Services Trademark Division Room 328 Howlett Office Building Springfield, Illinois 62756 217-524-0400. A copyright is a form of protection provided to an author of original works including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, sound recordings and certain other intellectual works. The Copyright Office Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20559 202/707-3000 6 12/2004