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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."
