708 Area Code: Chicago's South Suburbs, Cities, History & How to Get One

Introduction

The 708 area code covers Chicago's south and southwest suburbs — a densely populated corridor of Cook County communities stretching from the city's edge to the residential towns of Orland Park and Tinley Park. Whether you received a call from the 708 area code or you're building a local business presence in Cicero, Oak Park, or Calumet City, knowing this prefix gives you an immediate geographic advantage. This guide walks you through every key detail: cities and counties covered, Central Time zone, the 1989 history, dialing rules, and how to get a local number fast. If you want the most complete breakdown of the 708 region available, you're in the right place.

Key Takeaways

• This calling prefix covers Chicago's south and southwest suburbs, including Cicero, Oak Park, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, and Orland Park in Cook County.
• It was created on January 1, 1989, as the first geographic split from Chicago's original 312 area code.
• The entire 708 region observes Central Time — CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) in summer.
• All calls within and to 708 numbers require 10-digit dialing — area code plus the 7-digit local number.
• You can get a local south Chicago suburb number in minutes through a VoIP provider — no Illinois address or SIM card required.

What Is the 708 Area Code?

The 708 area code is a North American Numbering Plan (NANP) telephone prefix assigned to the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. It covers a dense, urban-adjacent corridor within Cook County — one of the most populous counties in the United States. The 708 code is historically significant as the first area code ever split from Chicago's original 312 prefix, a milestone in Illinois numbering history.

After two additional geographic splits in 1996, when the north and west suburbs received their own prefixes, 708 settled into its current compact footprint of south and southwest Cook County. It has never been overlaid — a notable distinction given this area's consistently high population density.

Coverage Area and Geography

The 708 region spans Chicago's south and southwest suburban belt within Cook County. Communities range from near-urban neighborhoods directly bordering Chicago city limits to quieter residential towns further south along the Will County line.

• South suburbs: Harvey, Calumet City, Blue Island, Chicago Heights, Park Forest, Lansing, Homewood, South Holland, Dolton, and Matteson
• Southwest suburbs: Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Cicero, Berwyn, Midlothian, Country Club Hills, and Palos Hills
• Western inner suburbs: Oak Park, Berwyn, and Forest Park — situated just west of Chicago's city limits
• Far southwest corridor: Orland Park, Tinley Park, Frankfort area communities bordering Will County

This concentration of communities makes the 708 corridor one of the most economically active suburban rings in the entire Midwest — dense, transit-connected, and commercially diverse.

Major Cities in the 708 Region

Several key cities anchor the 708 region's economic and cultural identity:

• Cicero — the largest municipality in the region by population, with deep manufacturing roots and a growing commercial district
• Oak Park — a historic, walkable community known for Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and a vibrant professional services economy
• Berwyn — a dense residential suburb with strong healthcare and retail sectors along Cermak Road
• Oak Lawn — home to Advocate Christ Medical Center, one of Illinois' busiest hospitals
• Orland Park — a major retail and logistics hub anchored by Orland Square Mall
• Tinley Park — a fast-growing southwest suburb known for its entertainment venues and distribution centers
• Harvey — a historically significant industrial city in the south suburban corridor

Together these cities represent a broad cross-section of the Chicago metro economy, from healthcare and retail to manufacturing and professional services.

Time Zone for the 708 Region

Every community in the 708 area code region observes Central Time. From early November through mid-March, the region runs on Central Standard Time (CST) at UTC−6. For the rest of the year it shifts to Central Daylight Time (CDT) at UTC−5.

For teams scheduling calls with 708 contacts, here are the key time conversions:

• 9:00 AM CST = 10:00 AM EST (East Coast winter hours)
• 9:00 AM CDT = 10:00 AM EDT (East Coast summer hours)
• 9:00 AM CST = 3:00 PM GMT (UK standard time)
• 9:00 AM CST = 7:00 AM PST (West Coast winter hours)

Illinois follows federal Daylight Saving Time rules. Clocks spring forward on the second Sunday in March and fall back on the first Sunday in November.

History of the 708 Code

The 1989 Split from 312

The 708 area code was created on January 1, 1989, marking the first time Chicago's legendary 312 area code was ever divided. Before 1989, a single prefix covered all of Chicago and every surrounding suburb — a numbering load that had grown unsustainable as Illinois' population surged in the post-war decades. When 708 launched, the suburbs received their own identity while 312 retained Chicago proper.

That legacy of local identity is one reason why virtual numbers tied to established area codes like 708 remain commercially attractive — callers recognize the prefix and trust it as genuinely local.

The 1996 Restructuring

By the mid-1990s, 708 covered an enormous suburban footprint — from northern Evanston to southern Park Forest, and from western Naperville to eastern Calumet City. Number demand forced two additional splits in 1996: the 847 area code was carved out for northern suburbs, and a new prefix was created for the western suburbs including Naperville and Aurora.

After those splits, the 708 code settled permanently into Chicago's south and southwest suburban belt. It has maintained that footprint ever since, serving as the sole prefix for its territory without an overlay.

How to Dial a 708 Phone Number

Dialing a 708 phone number follows the standard 10-digit format mandated across the United States. The FCC requires 10-digit dialing for all domestic calls, ensuring networks can accommodate future overlay assignments.

• From within the US: Dial 1 + 708 + 7-digit local number
• From Canada: Dial 1 + 708 + 7-digit number
• From outside North America: Dial your exit code + 1 + 708 + 7-digit number

Most smartphones auto-format calls correctly when a contact is saved with the full number. For landline calls originating outside the 708 code, always include the 1 prefix to ensure proper long-distance routing.

How to Get a Local 708 Number

CallMama makes it straightforward to get a virtual 708 phone number without relocating to Illinois or purchasing a new SIM card. Whether you're targeting Oak Park professionals, Orland Park retail customers, or Cicero's manufacturing sector, the platform delivers a fully functional local number in minutes at competitive rates.

1. Visit callmama.com or download the app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Create a free account using your email address
3. Choose a plan — monthly or pay-as-you-go — based on your calling and messaging needs
4. Select United States as the country and enter 708 as your preferred area code
5. Complete payment and activate your number instantly
6. Set up call forwarding, voicemail, or SMS routing as needed
7. Start making and receiving calls from any device right away

Your 708 phone number is live the moment payment is confirmed. There are no long-term commitments — upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time.

Industries & Economy in the 708 Region

The 708 area code region has a diverse, multi-sector economy shaped by its history as Chicago's original suburban industrial belt. Manufacturing and logistics anchor the south suburbs — Harvey, Chicago Heights, and Lansing have long housed distribution centers and light industry driven by their proximity to major rail corridors and Interstate 57.

Healthcare is the dominant growth sector in the southwest suburbs. Oak Lawn's Advocate Christ Medical Center and hospitals throughout Berwyn and Oak Park make the corridor one of Illinois' largest healthcare employment zones outside downtown Chicago. Retail and commercial real estate thrive in Orland Park and Tinley Park, where major malls and mixed-use developments draw shoppers from across the south suburban region. Professional services, education, and government employment round out the broader economic base — a mix that contrasts with the tech and corporate campuses found along the 630 area code corridor to the west.

Why a Local 708 Number Benefits Your Business

A 708 area code number instantly signals to south suburb customers that your business is part of their community — not a distant call center or out-of-state vendor. Consumer research consistently shows that local area codes generate significantly higher answer rates than toll-free or unfamiliar numbers. In tight-knit communities like Oak Park, Evergreen Park, or Tinley Park, that local trust translates directly into more conversations and more closed deals.

A virtual 708 phone number adds operational flexibility that traditional phone plans cannot match. Route calls to any device, set custom business hours, record calls for training, and manage voicemail — all from a single dashboard. This makes the 708 code a practical tool for remote teams, solo operators, and brick-and-mortar businesses alike. Combined with the region's strong local brand loyalty, a 708 number gives you a genuine competitive edge at a fraction of the cost of a Chicago-area office. For full guidance on national dialing standards, see the FCC guidelines, which explain how area code splits and overlays are managed across the country.

Conclusion

The 708 area code ties together Chicago's south and southwest suburbs under one historically significant prefix — a corridor that spans healthcare hubs, retail districts, industrial corridors, and walkable historic neighborhoods. First established in 1989 as the inaugural split from Chicago's 312, it has served its territory with stability for over three decades. Whether you are identifying a caller, researching a local market, or expanding your Illinois reach, understanding this 708 area code gives you a clear advantage. The region's economic diversity and dense population make it one of the most commercially rewarding suburban markets in the Midwest.

Getting a virtual 708 phone number has never been more accessible — modern VoIP platforms let you claim a south suburb Chicago prefix from anywhere and start using it within minutes. No Illinois lease, no hardware, no long-term contracts required. Use that local presence to connect with Oak Park professionals, Orland Park shoppers, Cicero manufacturers, or Harvey logistics operators from wherever you work. Take the next step today — a local 708 number could be the connection that opens your next Chicago south suburb relationship.