Amy Mek
Hackers took control of two electronic billboards in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook on Wednesday night, displaying antisemitic messages that horrified commuters. The billboards, located off the Edens Spur Tollroad, featured hateful slogans such as “F–k ISRAEL” and “DEATH TO ISRAEL,” both set against a backdrop of the Palestinian flag.
The messages appeared on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, in a community with a significant Jewish population. Many local residents and drivers were deeply disturbed by the display, with some reporting that their children, riding in the car, had read the hateful messages.
Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL), representing the area, received multiple calls from concerned constituents shortly after the signs went live around 5:30 p.m.
“Where these signs are, it’s a community with a large Jewish population, and tonight is the beginning of the Jewish holiday Sukkot,” Schneider told local media. “Whoever did this had an intentionality about it that was clearly antisemitic.”
The billboards, owned by OUTFRONT Media, were shut down by 7 p.m. once the company was alerted to the incident. Northbrook police quickly launched an investigation, confirming that the messages were not authorized and had been posted by hackers.
Adding to the bizarre nature of the incident, the billboards claimed the content was “paid for by MrBeast LLC,” referring to popular YouTube star MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson. MrBeast immediately distanced himself from the display, with his legal team quickly getting involved.
“MrBeast did not pay for this billboard,” a spokesperson for the YouTuber told Fox 32 Chicago. “After being made aware of its existence, we contacted our attorneys and the authorities about how to have it immediately removed.”
The Jewish United Fund (JUF) of Chicago also issued a statement condemning the hack and reassuring the community that the incident was being investigated. “We immediately reached out to OUTFRONT Media to have this offensive imagery removed,” the JUF said. “The media company believes they were hacked and have opened an investigation.”
The hack comes at a time of heightened tension in the Chicago area, which has become a stronghold for Islamic supremacists and left-wing antisemitic activists. This incident highlights growing concerns about antisemitic actions in the region, particularly in predominantly Jewish areas like Northbrook.
Local officials, including the Northbrook Village Board, condemned the act in strong terms. “The Northbrook Village Board unequivocally condemns antisemitism and all acts of hate speech. We stand together with the Jewish community, family members, friends, and neighbors,” the board stated.
The investigation into the hack is ongoing, with both Northbrook police and OUTFRONT Media working to identify the perpetrators behind this disturbing antisemitic stunt.
Vlad Tepes
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