Electronic billboards hacked, display anti-Israel messages along Illinois Tollway in Northbrook
Electronic billboards displayed anti-Israel statements along the Illinois Tollway Wednesday evening in suburban Northbrook after an apparent hacking, according to police and the billboard company.
About 5:30 p.m., the Northbrook Police Department was made aware of an electronic billboard message along the Illinois Tollway between Pfingston and Waukegan roads displaying a series of "anti-Semitic" messages, according to a statement from the Village of Northbrook.
One of the billboards read "F*$% ISRAEL" while another read "DEATH TO ISRAEL," according to a post on X by 10th District United States Rep. Brad Schneider.
After investigation, it was determined the billboard company, Outfront Media, had not displayed the messages, which were taken down, the statement said.
The company believe they were hacked and have opened an investigation, the Jewish United Fund, who worked with the company to remove the messages, said in a statement on X.
Outfront Media couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
David Goldenberg, regional director at the Midwest branch of the Anti-Defamation League, told the Sun-Times the organization received over two dozen complaints regarding the billboards over their incident response hotline in a 10 minute span.
"This shows the length some will go to express their hateful views toward the existence of a Jewish homeland," Goldenberg said. "Not only did they hack a billboard to express their hateful views, they did so on the eve of a Jewish holiday."
"We're appreciative of the quick action by village officials and the company to take it down," Goldenberg added.
Schneider condemned the billboard messages, calling it a "disgusting, intimidating, display."
"It is notable that this sign is located in a community with a large Jewish population, in close proximity to a Jewish day school, at the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot," Schneider posted on X.
The Village of Northbrook also condemned the messages.
"The Northbrook Village Board unequivocally condemns anti-Semitism and all acts of hate speech," the village said in the statement. "We stand together with the Jewish community, family members, friends and neighbors. Northbrook is an inclusive community and welcomes all."