October 19–25, 2026
A quiet week for passed legislation with local impact, but one federal law is now in effect that could matter if clergy or a federal emergency alert reaches your phone.
If you or someone you know works in a religious role. A new federal law (HR 227) is now on the books. Ordained ministers, nuns, Christian Science practitioners, and similar religious workers who previously opted out of Social Security and Medicare have a two-year window to re-enroll. Once they sign back in, they'll pay self-employment taxes on their ministerial income going forward and become eligible for retirement and Medicare benefits down the road. This is now law.
On your phone during emergencies. A newly signed federal law (HR 7022) allows wireless carriers to send emergency alerts, think severe weather warnings or missing persons notices, through satellite networks in addition to the cell towers they use today. Carriers don't have to participate, but those that do opt in could reach residents in areas where cell service is spotty. If your carrier joins the program, you'll have the option to turn satellite delivery off. This is now law.
Several other federal bills that cleared this week deal with matters outside DuPage County, including a land sale involving an 8-acre parcel in Sacramento, California.
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Coming up next week:
San Francisco Bay cleanup funding. HR 1382, which would raise the federal share of San Francisco Bay restoration project costs and let nonprofits and private companies run those projects directly, has cleared committee and is headed toward a full House floor vote. No firm vote date is set. This one has no direct bearing on DuPage County residents.
See what's up for a vote now · Find your representatives