Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
The Tribune reports (Oct. 10) that the Illinois Commerce Commission faces two options regarding the crush of phone numbers in the 847 area code–to divide the area into two codes or to overlay a new code within the area. Under the latter option, two lines at any one residence could end up with different area codes.
A third, and much more desirable option, is that adopted by Australia. There, seven-digit phone numbers have been changed to eight-digit numbers. Initially, this was achieved by adding a 9 to the front of a seven-digit number. A seven-digit combination makes for 9 million possible numbers; an eight-digit combination makes for 90 million numbers.
