myfoxchicago.com - 475 views 
It's time to add to your 312 and 773 Chicago area codes. Chicago's new 872 area code goes online today and cell users must dial the respective Chicago area code along with the phone number. Land line phone users must start with "1" before dialing the area code and phone number.
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Thanks for the heads-up, Darryl.
So 312 and 773 are going away? That wasn't clear from the article.
What's the story with this guy they interviewed. He has 150-200 contacts with just 7 digits in their stored numbers? That can't be true. I assumed you always had to dial the area code when calling from a cell phone. Not true?
Cell phone users need not dial the preceeding one before the ten digit telephone number, but must always dial ten digits. Makes a strong case for refreshing one's speed dial directory! Great share with practical advice, Darryl Swint!
Formerly true, but no longer as of today.
Does this remind anyone else of that seinfeld episode where elaine gets stuck with the new area code for new york and can't get a date because no guy knows how to call her back? I fear this may cause some confusion on the dating front.
Excellent point, Imaton! Besides making dialing more difficult, it will take some time for those receiving calls from the new area code to become acquainted whether for business or pleasure.
Supposedly 312 and 773 are exhausted, but they aren't going away is my understanding. If you have one of those, it's still going to be good for the duration, I believe.
312 and 773 are still here, and they are still available for some phones.
http://www.icc.illinois.gov/telecommunications/areacodes.aspx (Under the New 872 Press Release)
"Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and the City of Chicago reminds the residents of Chicago, presently served by area codes 312 and 773, of a third area code being introduced on Saturday November 7, 2009. The 872 area code will overlay the 773 and 312 area codes to supplement the telephone number supply and thus require 11-digit dialing in the City of Chicago.
Beginning on November 7, 2009, all calls must be dialed 1+ Area Code + Telephone Number. Residents will no longer be able to dial seven digits to a local number inside their area code. Residents are reminded that their phone number(s) will not change. The only thing that will change is the way they dial the number. With the 872 area code, current customers will keep their existing phone numbers as well as their 312 or 773 area codes."
So we'll have three area codes here to accomodate the dwindling number of available 312 and 773 prefixes.
Also there was some snobbery over area codes; if you had one of the new ones, you weren't cool.