10-Digit Dialing For Local Calls Starts Sunday In Oak Forest

OAK FOREST, IL — Sunday is the day residents of multiple states, including Illinois, will be required to dial a few extra numbers when calling their next-door neighbor or a friend on the other side of town.

Illinois residents who have landline phones with area codes including 708, 309 or 618 will be required to dial all 10 digits when making local calls.

The reason behind the change stems from the Federal Communications Commission's move to adopt 988 as a new three-digit number to reach the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Line.

That three-digit number — 988 — had previously been assigned as a prefix in 82 area codes in 35 states as well as the U.S. territory of Guam.

If callers attempt to dial only seven digits on or after Oct. 24, they are likely to get the familiar "your call cannot be completed as dialed" message.

To prepare for the switch, telephone users in the affected areas were asked to start dialing the three-digit area code when making local calls by April 24, even if the person they're calling lives right across the street.

Many people already have to use 10-digit dialing because of area code "overlays" — that is, regions where more than one area code is assigned because of the demand for phone numbers.

However, simply dialing all 10 digits isn't the only thing you'll need to remember.

You'll also need to reprogram automatic dialing equipment — for example, life safety systems or medical monitoring devices; fire, burglary and security alarm systems; speed dialers; cell phone contact lists; call forwarding services; voicemail services; and other similar functions.

You'll also have to change your email signature or stationery if they don't include the area code.
The bottom line: You should literally think of everything that has your address on it, including your pet ID tags, and make sure the area code is in the contact number.

People making calls on landlines will still dial 1+ for long-distance calls. Regardless of the phone they're using, residents of California will have to dial 1+ the 10-digit number, as will people in parts of Illinois.

Emergency service calls to 911 and 711 (a relay service used by people who are deaf or hearing impaired) will be made as they are now, by dialing the three digits. Any 211, 311, 411, 511, 611 or 811 services available in your community can still be reached by dialing their three-digit codes.

Read more on the 988 suicide crisis hotline.