With new telephone numbers in Southern Illinois in high demand, the Illinois Commerce Commission has approved the implementation of the new 730 area code to overlay the existing 618 area code region. The current 618 area code serves all or parts of the southernmost 37 counties in Illinois, including South Central Illinois.
Starting on July 7th, customers in the 618 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 730 area code when they request a new service or an additional line. The 730 area code will co-exist everywhere in the region. Customers receiving the 730 area code will be required to dial 10 digits (the area code and phone number) for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers in the 618 area code do today.
The Illinois Commerce Commission says the new area code will not change any existing telephone numbers, there will be no change in local calling areas, and you will still be able to call 911 and 988 as well as similar numbers.
Customers should continue to identify their telephone number as a ten-digit area code plus a seven-digit telephone number) and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, and customers.
