Independent list · re-checked September 28, 2026 · published by Primortul LLC

advertising agencies in Illinois

2 of the 15 advertising agencies on this list are based in Illinois (IL), in Chicago. The other 13 are based elsewhere on the list. Who leads them, the work they can show, and why each one made the list. This is the list, not a ranking of the state. Nobody pays to be ranked.

  1. 01 on the list · Chicago, IL

    Leo (formerly Leo Burnett)

    Since 1935 · 500+ people

    Leo Burnett was founded in Chicago in 1935 and in 2025 became the anchor of Leo, the creative network of Publicis Groupe, which reports 15,000 people across 90 markets. Leo Chicago remains the network's flagship U.S. office and handles global and U.S. campaigns for McDonald's, Gatorade, Oreo and Bank of America. It is owned by Publicis Groupe.

    Why it’s hereChicago's defining creative agency for 90 years; Leo Chicago won a Global Grand Effie in 2025 and the network was named Effie's most effective creative network in 2024.

    Estimated cost

    Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.

    Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.

    creative · global brand campaigns · CPG and QSR · holding company: Publicis Groupe

  2. 02 on the list · Chicago, IL

    Highdive

    Since 2016

    Highdive is an independent creative agency founded in Chicago in 2016 by Mark Gross and Chad Broude, with a second office in New York. It is best known for broadcast and Super Bowl work, including Jeep's Emmy-nominated 'Groundhog Day' spot, and its client list includes Jeep, Ram, Rocket Mortgage, State Farm and KFC.

    Why it’s hereAd Age's Small Agency of the Year (Gold) in 2020 and a repeat top finisher on the USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter.

    Who leads itMegan Lally, CEO.

    Work they can showJeep. Made the "Groundhog Day" Super Bowl spot, which placed #1 on the USA Today Ad Meter and earned an Emmy nomination. Rocket Mortgage. Produced the "Comfortable" Super Bowl spot, which ranked #5 on the USA Today Ad Meter.

    Estimated cost

    Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.

    Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.

    broadcast creative · Super Bowl campaigns · integrated campaigns · automotive

Compare states and cities

Free · no obligation

Describe the job. One advertising agency writes back.

Tell us what you sell, what is not working, and what done looks like. We read it and ask one provider — from this list, or from the publisher’s bench — to contact you within a business day. Asking is free. You do not have to hire them. Nobody else gets what you wrote.

When

Sending shares what you wrote with the one provider we match you to. How that works.

The same list, elsewhere
Other lists in the Midwest