THE 3-0-9 TELEPHONE REGION IS GETTING AN ADDITIONAL AREA CODE COME FRIDAY. (two stories, same lead).

THE CURRENT 3-0-9 AREA CODE COVERS SEVERAL COUNTIES INCLUDING HENRY, MCCLEAN, ROCK ISLAND, PEORIA, TAZEWELL, WHITESIDE AND STARK. A NEW 8-6-1 OVERLAY WILL ALSO BE PUT INTO USE, BUT PROBABLY NOT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS SAYS GEORGE LIGHT WITH THE ILLINOIS COMMERCE COMMISSION.

WHEN AN OVERLAY IS ACTIVATED, LIGHT SAYS THAT USUALLY MEANS PEOPLE IN THE AREA WILL NEED TO DIAL 10 DIGITS INSTEAD OF SEVEN. BUT SINCE THE 9-8-8 SUICIDE HOTLINE WAS LAUNCHED LAST YEAR, EVERYONE IS ALREADY DIALING THE FULL PHONE NUMBER.

LIGHT SAYS DEMAND FOR NEW NUMBERS HAS RECENTLY DROPPED IN THE REGION SO IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THE 8-6-1 AREA CODE TO SHOW UP.