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										 Hi Meghan,
Why don't you try using the newer polygon function. Here is an example that works for IDL 8.4
p=plot(sin(findgen(200)/15))
coords=[[50,-.5],[50,.5],[150,.5],[150,-.5]]
rect = polygon( coords, target=p,$
    Color='black',/data,$
    /fill_background,fill_color='blue',$
    transparency=60)
 
										
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