Peoria, Ill- A new area code is coming to central Illinois.
TV station WRSP reports that a new area code of 816 will be an overlay to the area currently served by the 309 area code in order to ensure the availability of phone numbers in the area.
The 309 area code was created in 1957, and serves a large portion of northwestern and central Illinois, including Peoria, McLean, Rock Island, Tazewell, Knox, Henry, Woodford, Fulton, and McDonough Counties.
Those with established phone numbers will not have to change their number or area code, but those seeking new phone service after the overlay is put in place may be assigned a new number with the 816 area code.
The National Numbering Administrator is still planning when to begin the new area code.
