The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding residential and business customers served by the 217 area code that now is the time to start preparing for the introduction of the new 447 area code, which becomes effective in February 2021.

August 29, 2020 marks the start of a six-month permissive dialing period, in order to give consumers adequate time to adjust to the change of dialing 10 digits (area code + 7-digit telephone number) for local calls.  Mandatory dialing of the 10-digit telephone number begins on February 27, 2021.   

New telephone lines or services may be assigned numbers using the new 447 area code beginning March 27, 2021. 

The 217 area code overlay (the addition of another area code to the same geographic region served by an existing area code) was ordered by the ICC in August of 2006.

More details and information, including the most important facts for consumers to know about the upcoming 217/447 area code overlay, can be found in the full ICC News Release issued August 24, 2020.

To get additional information, visit the ICC website or contact your local telephone service provider.