Congress allowed the expanded child tax credit to expire in January, and while parents can still get the remainder of that credit when they file their taxes, many middle and lower-income families are feeling a financial squeeze without the extra cash flow that came monthly. Researchers and early childhood education advocates in Illinois joined The 21st to talk about what the credit meant for families.

Illinois' child poverty rate is just as high as it was in 2010. Is the state doing enough to bring it down?

The new report shows the state of Illinois ranks 20th in the country when it comes to child health and development.