As of Feb. 27, Illinois residents who live in the 217 area code need to dial full 10-digit telephone numbers when placing calls.

The 217 area is a section across the middle of Illinois which includes Coles County, as well as Champaign, Edgar, Macon, Sangamon, Montgomery, and sections of many other counties.

This change has gone into effect because of the introduction of a new 447 area code which will serve the same region.

New phone lines created after March 27 may be assigned the 447 area code.

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