Harris to prevent alimony payments to abusive spouses

SPRINGFIELD – To prevent an abusive partner from receiving spousal support, State Senator Napoleon Harris, III (D-Harvey) introduced legislation to create the Domestic Violence Maintenance Task Force. 

“Victims of abuse should not have to pay alimony to an abusive spouse, regardless of their financial situation,” Harris said. 

House Bill 861 creates the Domestic Violence Maintenance Task Force. The task force will review domestic cases involving domestic violence and maintenance awards, also known as alimony, and issue recommendations to improve court procedures regarding a maintenance award when a spouse has been convicted of domestic battery or aggravated domestic battery against the other spouse.

“Requiring any spouse to pay alimony to their partner who has been convicted of domestic or aggravated battery is unjust and should be written in Illinois law,” Harris said. 

House Bill 861 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and will now head to the full Senate for further debate.