Hacked billboards display 'antisemitic' messages in Chicago suburb

CHICAGO - Multiple electronic billboards in a Chicago suburb were hacked, displaying hateful messages about Israel that many described as "antisemitic" on Wednesday.

The billboards are located off the Edens Spur Tollroad in Northbrook, just west of Waukegan Road.

One of the billboards read, "F*** ISRAEL," while another displayed the message, "DEATH TO ISRAEL." In both, a Palestinian flag was used as the background.

Commuters leaving work and even students after school were met with the shocking messages, which were first reported around 5:30 p.m.

Congressman Brad Schneider told FOX 32 Chicago his phone started ringing once the signage appeared.

 "Where these signs are, it’s a community with a large Jewish population, and tonight is the beginning of the Jewish holiday Sukkot," said Schneider. "Whoever did this had an intentionality about it that was clearly antisemitic."

Schneider, who represents the 10th District of Illinois, contacted local police and reached out to the media company that owns the billboards, OUTFRONT Media, calling for the immediate removal of the messages and an explanation of how they were posted. 

"It had to be a shock [to drivers]. One of the ones that caught my attention is someone said they had their kids in the car, their little kids, but old enough to read. You know, these are big billboard signs, and how do you explain that to a young person?" added Schneider.

The two signs displaying the hateful messages illuminated the expressway for at least an hour on Wednesday evening. By 7 p.m., the digital signs were completely dark – having been shut off by OUTFRONT Media.

Northbrook police launched an investigation and quickly determined the messages were not authorized by OUTFRONT Media, indicating they were the work of hackers.

The Village of Northbrook stated in part, "The sign was displaying a series of antisemitic messages and upon investigation it was determined that the billboard company had not displayed the messages. Company representatives worked quickly and collaboratively to remove the unauthorized messages from the electronic signage."

The village went on to say, "The Northbrook Village Board unequivocally condemns anti-Semitism and all acts of hate speech. We stand together with the Jewish community, family members, friends and neighbors. Northbrook is an inclusive community and welcomes all."

OUTFRONT Media shared a statement with FOX 32 Chicago, saying they were aware of the incident.

"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are aware of this incident. The copy has been removed and the situation is being investigated."

The Jewish United Fund of Chicago said it became aware of the billboards and issued a statement on social media:

"An hour before sundown, JUF became aware of offensive billboard imagery on the Spur. We immediately reached out to Outfront Media to have this offensive imagery removed. The media company believes they were hacked, and they have opened an investigation to understand how this happened and who is responsible. The police are at the scene. We will keep the community updated if there is more information to share," the JUF said.

The hacked billboards also read, "Paid for by Mr. Beast LLC." A spokesperson for MrBeast, who is a popular YouTuber, shared the following statement with FOX 32 Chicago on Wednesday night:

"MrBeast did not pay for this billboard and after being made aware of its existence, we contacted our attorneys and the authorities about how to have it immediately removed."

Northbrook police said no further information was immediately available and the investigation is ongoing.