The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved implementation of a new area code for people in parts of central and north central Illinois.
Phone numbers in the 309 area code are in high demand, so some new numbers in the region will have the 861 area code. The 309 region stretches from McLean County through Peoria to the Quad Cities. Existing phone numbers won't change, but the switch does affect people with existing numbers if they add a line.
The affected area includes cities and communities,including Bloomington, Normal, Peoria, Canton, Galesburg, Macomb, East Moline, East Peoria, Moline, Pekin, and Rock Island, as well as smaller communities.
The ICC said the price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay. What is a local call now will remain a local call. Customers in the overlay region will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 if those are currently available in their community.
The new area code overlay starts Feb. 24.
