Although Illinois courts won't let spouses use the divorce process as punishment, a spouse's cheating could impact your case. Illinois' move to nofault divorce laws means adultery no longer directly impacts alimony decisions or divorce outcomes.Initiating and Filing for Alimony. To initiate alimony in Illinois, the petitioning spouse must request it in the petition for dissolution of marriage. Illinois law actually forbids stepping out on your spouse and labels the act a misdemeanor that could lead to fines and a year in jail. Spousal maintenance is not automatically granted in Illinois divorce cases, and it will typically only be awarded if a spouse can demonstrate a financial need. Our Cook County divorce attorneys provide legal help in cases involving adultery, cheating, or infidelity. Contact us at 708-480-9651. Contact the Chicago maintenance lawyers at (312) 332-2915 today if you need information about alimony and spousal support in Illinois. If your divorce involves infidelity, rely on our St. Charles divorce lawyers for knowledgeable and empathetic legal guidance.