Giannoulias Unveils First-Ever Business Services Center, Streamlining Services for Faster, More Convenient Access

CHICAGO – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the opening of the office’s first-ever Business Services Center in downtown Chicago, bringing together key business-related services in a centralized, customer-focused location while reducing operational costs.

Located on the first floor at 160 N. LaSalle St., the new Business Services Center reflects the office’s continued efforts to modernize operations, improve accessibility and better serve Illinois entrepreneurs, business owners and residents requiring document authentication services.

“For the first time, we are creating a dedicated space focused on the needs of Illinois businesses and customers seeking critical document services,” Giannoulias said. “By bringing Business Services and Index services together under one roof, we are improving efficiency, reducing wait times and making it easier for customers to access the services they need quickly and conveniently.”

The office’s Business Services Department previously operated out of a leased facility at 69 W. Washington St., where it had been located since 2001 at an annual cost of more than $580,000. In June 2025, the Index Department relocated from its leased space at 17 N. State St., which cost over $63,000 annually, to join Business Services at that location. The move to 160 N. LaSalle St., a state-owned building, eliminates nearly $650,000 in ongoing lease costs while creating a centralized hub designed specifically for business and document-related transactions.

At nearly 5,000 square feet, the center provides additional space to streamline customer flow and enhance service delivery. The facility is staffed by 31 employees trained to support both business filings and document authentication services.

The Business Services Center will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The office’s Business Services Department handles a high volume of in-person transactions. The most frequently requested services include LLC and corporation filings, obtaining certified copies of business records and securing certificates of good standing.

In addition to in-person services, the facility includes a Fast-Lane DMV kiosk, allowing customers to complete common motor vehicle transactions in minutes.

The services offered at the Business Services Center include:

Business Services: Expedited services and certified copies; filing articles of incorporation and amendments for corporations and LLCs; assistance with certificates of good standing and reinstatements; trademark filings; and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings.

Index Services: Apostilles and foreign document processing for customers requiring certification of official documents for international use.

Fast-Lane Kiosk: Renewal of driver’s licenses and state IDs, and purchase of vehicle registration stickers with immediate on-site printing of temporary documents.

The opening of the Business Services Center represents another step in the office’s broader modernization strategy to enhance customer service, consolidate operations, reduce costs and deliver more efficient government services to the public.

Alexi Giannoulias was sworn into office as Illinois’ 38th Secretary of State on January 9, 2023. In this capacity, he also serves as the State Librarian and State Archivist. Giannoulias is committed to transforming the office’s antiquated IT infrastructure to modernize operations and improve customer service for all Illinoisans.

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