A new area code is coming to the 217. The Illinois Commerce Commission announced that beginning February 27th, mandatory dialing will occur where all local calls are made within the 217 area code phone number that you will have to start dialing all ten numbers (area code and the phone number) to call out. The ICC says that they have ran out of numbers for the 217 area code and a ne warea code of 447 will be introduced that will overlay the existing 217 area code. 

Some important things to note include-that new 447 area code numbers will introduced on March 27th, you current telephone number including area code will not change unless you seek new phone service.  If you do dial out you will have to dial the area code and telephone number for all local calls. You can also continue to dial 1 plus the area code plus the telephone number for all long distance calls.  Local calls will remain local calls and prices of a call will not change. As far as 9-1-1 is concerned, that will still remain the same as will 2-1-1, 8-1-1, 3-1-1, and 5-1-1.

Make sure when you are giving out your phone number to your friends, families, customers, and your work that you give them the full phone number including area code. Double check to make sure that any automatic dialing services, applications, software, and other types of equipment recognizes 4-4-7 as a an actual real area code. Make sure you change your stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and personal or pet ID tags if you have your phone number on any of those. 

While many medical services already use ten digits ensure that your medical life alert systems be programmed for ten digit codes. For more information visit the ICC website at www.icc.illinois.gov.