Monthly child tax credit payments to begin July 15, officials say
Nearly 88% of U.S. children are set to receive the monthly benefits under the expanded child tax credit without their parents needing to take any additional action, administration officials said.
New increased child tax credit money coming in July
The 2021 child tax credit is increased courtesy of the American Rescue Plan.
Pets adopted during the pandemic are being returned at record numbers: report
HEARTLESS: As the pandemic dies down, people are going back to the office and traveling again, which apparently means that many feel like they can no longer care for their recently adopted pets.
Vaccine rollout enabling more Mother's Day reunions in Chicago area
Michigan Avenue is looking more and more like normal. Hundreds of mothers and their children were out and about Saturday, enjoying the brisk temperatures and great scenery.
Mom gets to enjoy free Lawrence's Shrimp and Fish for Mother's Day after son wins contest
"My mom was born and raised in Chicago and is cultishly loyal to Lawrence’s fried shrimp. She now lives in Utah, where good seafood is hard to come by," wrote Hank Hansen in the essay that beat out 600 others.
New 'Palforzia' treatment for peanut allergies allowing kids to lead more normal lives
Palforzia is a powder that comes in a pull-apart capsule. Parents add it to everyday foods like yogurt or applesauce. After eating Palforzia over time, the child becomes desensitized.
Pfizer vaccine will reportedly be approved by FDA for use in kids 12 to 15 years old early next week
About 5 million children between the ages of 12 and 15 would immediately receive the shot following approval, while another 5 to 7 million would likely be vaccinated before the beginning of the fall 2021 school year.
Drive-thru dinosaur experience coming to the Chicago area
A new family-friendly, COVID-safe drive-thru attraction is coming to the Chicago area this May.
Mom accidentally names daughter Korn due to birth certificate error
This is one kool baby.
Diaper giveaway held at Chicago church that was robbed of previous diaper drive supplies
After a dozen people stole baby items from a Chicago church, donations flooded in to help restock the shelves. On Saturday, hundreds of parents were able to get diapers, food and other baby supplies.
Babies stranded in suburban Chicago, thousands of miles from parents, because of bureaucratic delays
You're looking at baby Daniel. His parents live in China, but he was born to a surrogate in the Chicago area. Now he's caught in a Chinese Embassy paperwork snarl. He'll probably spend the first seven months of his life living with a temporary family before he can meet his real parents.
Children living with mothers only doubled between 1968-2020, US Census Bureau says
The U.S. Census Bureau found that the number of children living with a single mother has doubled since 1968, with the number of children living in a double-parent household decreasing significantly in the same amount of time.
Dad, son with autism collaborate on comic book series to help son better understand the world
In just one conversation, it won’t take long to realize Jake’s already got abilities just like his comic book counterpart. Autism isn’t his disability. It’s his superpower.
Three young brothers in Houston need family to adopt them
The three Houston brothers — 5-year-old Antwann, 7-year-old Anthony and 8-year-old Artavius — have been in foster care for two years.
Family moving to Arizona from Georgia left devastated after thieves stole their belongings
A family's goal of starting a new life in Arizona has hit a major snag as someone stole their truck and a U-Haul trailer that was carrying the family's possessions.
Target car seat trade-in: Retailer will take old baby seat in exchange for discount on new one
Target will allow customers to trade in an old baby car seat for a 20% off coupon toward a brand new one from April 5 through April 17.
Northern Virginia couple celebrates 72nd wedding anniversary
A milestone weekend for a northern Virginia couple who celebrated 72 years of marriage! Marvin and Betty Quinn married on April 2, 1949.
‘They were ours’: Couple adopts 7 siblings after their parents die in car crash
The children had been in foster care for more than one year after losing their parents in a deadly car crash.
Mothers from Chicago and suburbs say that Child Tax Credit expansion will make a huge difference
"This tax credit is definitely a blessing," said Maria Ramirez, a working mom in Waukegan. "I am working two jobs as a middle class American in Lake County. I've never qualified for any government assistance because I've made just over the minimum bracket. So it leaves me in a predicament where I don't qualify, so I have to get a second job."
Aurora gives away free food to 1,200 families at pop-up pantry
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin spent his 51st birthday volunteering at the pop-up pantry. "There's no place that I'd rather be than here making sure that our residents of Aurora have the food they need during this pandemic," he said. "We see the light at the end of this tunnel, but we're not through it yet."