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City RoomTM Public Affairs coverage from our award-winning staff
News In Brief
New Chicago Numbers Get New Area Code




 
 
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Today, the city of Chicago introduces a new area code and starts 11-digit dialing.

You know that Seinfeld episode where Elaine changes her phone number and gets a new area code? And then she tries to weasel her way out of it.

SEINFELD CLIP:

Elaine: It's the same. Just changed.
Phone Man: Look, I work for the phone company. I've had a lot of experience with semantics, so don't try to lure me into some maze of circular logic.

Starting today, new numbers in Chicago will be assigned the 872 area code.

But the Illinois Commerce Commission says 312 and 773 area codes are still available to people seeking additional phone lines. The ICC says because of the 3 codes, people will have to dial 1 plus the area code with every call. The new dialing will not affect calling costs.
Leave a comment
Bruce Watson, Evanston // Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 3:33 PM

The short article on Chicago's new area code says the code is "8-2". What's the actual area code?

Ammad Omar // Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 3:41 PM

Sorry Bruce: 872. Fixed above

bruce_g_watson@hotmail.com, Evanston // Tuesday, November 10, 2009 @ 2:39 PM

Thanks, Ammad.

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