Newly issued phone numbers in southern Illinois will soon have a new area code.
The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the new 730 code, which will overlay the same area as 618, starting July 7.
The change won't impact already existing numbers, and the ICC says what is currently a local call will remain a local call.
In addition, several three-digit numbers remain available for special purposes, like 9-1-1, the 9-8-8 suicide help line, and others used by individual communities or agencies.
