An Illinois single-member LLC operating agreement is a legal document for a sole proprietor to establish ownership, policies, and procedures. Although not required by the state, this document protects the owner’s assets from business debts and offers tax benefits. Without it, the owner’s private finances are at risk, and certain tax advantages won’t be available.

Step 1: Company Name

Enter your LLC’s name, ensuring it complies with Illinois naming guidelines.

For instance, you might want to name your tech startup “Illinois Innovations, LLC.”

Step 2: Date

Fill in the date you sign the agreement to indicate when it becomes effective.

For example, if you’re filling it out on September 15, 2023, you would enter “September 15, 2023.”

Step 3: Company and Member Information

Write also the full name of the LLC and also of the sole member of the LLC to show who owns the company and is responsible for its operations.

Suppose your name is William Brown, you’d write “William Brown” as the member and “Illinois Innovations, LLC” as the LLC.

Step 4: Formation Date

Enter first the full legal name of your LLC. In the next space enter the date the Articles of Organization were filed with the state of Illinois.

This might look something like “Illinois Innovations, LLC, filed on September 1, 2023.”

Step 5: Purpose

In the “Purposes and Powers” section, describe your LLC’s primary purpose or business activities. This outlines your company’s scope of operations.

For instance, you might write, “Illinois Innovations, LLC, is created to develop and sell innovative software solutions.”

Step 6: Authority

Write the sole member’s name in the Authority section. This emphasizes their power to make decisions and act on behalf of the LLC. 

As the sole member, this will be you. Therefore, you’d again write your name, “William Brown.”

Step 7: LLC Name

Input the name of your company one last time. This ensures consistency.

Simply restate “Illinois Innovations, LLC.”

Step 8: Signature and Printed Name

At the end of the document, sign your name on the “Managing Member’s Signature” line and print it below. This shows your acceptance of the terms and commitment to follow the operating agreement.

You’d sign “William Brown” and print “William Brown” underneath.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the process of filling out a single-member LLC operating agreement for an Illinois-based company involves providing essential information such as the company name, formation date, purpose, and authority. By completing this document, the sole proprietor can ensure asset protection and secure tax advantages. It is crucial for the owner to follow these guidelines and complete the operating agreement accurately in order to enjoy its benefits and prevent potential legal or financial issues. Ultimately, the single-member LLC operating agreement serves as a foundation for establishing a well-organized and legally compliant business structure in the state of Illinois.