October 1, 2007

Springfield, IL – Beginning October 7, 2007 area residents currently served by area code 630 will be assigned a new 331 area code to augment the telephone number supply in that area. As a result, customers with a number from the 630 or 331 area code will be required to dial the full, 10-digit number (area code + seven digit number) for all calls.

State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) explained that the 630 area code officially reached “exhaust” early this summer, and although individual telephone numbers are still available there are no more unassigned prefixes.

To address the need for new telephone numbers, the 331 area code has been established. Current phone customers will not be required to change their existing area code, but new telephone customers in these areas are likely to receive telephone numbers in the new 331 area code.

Radogno noted that after Sunday, October 7, 2007 it will be mandatory for residents with a number from the 630 area code to dial the area code for all calls—even to other 630 numbers. If the area code is not included, the call will not be completed.

The senator also pointed out that Illinois lawmakers had no authority over the decision to add area codes, explaining that area code overlays are determined by an independent organization.

“I understand that the increased number of area codes can be an inconvenience for consumers, but there just aren’t enough numbers to go around without increasing area codes—it simply a fact of life now that the number of cell phone and telecommunications users continue to rapidly increase.”

The 630 area code is used in the western suburbs, affecting communities like Aurora, Elmhurst, Geneva, Hinsdale, Itasca, Lemont, Naperville, Oswego and Wheaton.

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