Area code 708 serves the southern and western suburbs of Chicago, including cities such as Oak Lawn, Cicero, Oak Park, and Orland Park. It was created in 1989 as a split from the original 312 area code due to the suburban population boom. The region includes a blend of residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and retail centers. In 1996, 708 was split again to create area codes 847 and 630, but it still covers a large swath of the Chicagoland suburbs. 708 remains a key regional identifier for communities that serve as economic and cultural extensions of Chicago. It’s widely recognized and frequently used in local business names and media references.