Cook County SA Rejects ICE Abuse Special Prosecutor Petition
State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke calls petition for special prosecutor to investigate ICE abuses 'baseless' and 'illogical' in Cook County court.
About Danielle
Danielle Okonkwo covers city hall and neighborhood news for Chicago Gust. A Nigerian-American raised in Hyde Park, she earned her journalism degree from UIC and cut her teeth covering education and community issues for local outlets before joining Chicago Gust. Her beat takes her from city council chambers to block club meetings across Chicagoland, where she's built a reputation for holding officials accountable while amplifying community voices. Danielle's investigative work on Chicago Public Schools has been recognized by the Illinois Press Association. Previously, Danielle was a Statehouse Correspondent at Associated Press. Danielle holds a B.A. in Government from Northwestern University.
Articles by Danielle
Judge Orders Release of $3B in Frozen CTA Funding
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release $3.1 billion for the CTA's Red Line Extension and Red and Purple Modernization projects.
ICE Shooting of Silverio Villegas González Goes Uninvestigated
Six months after ICE fatally shot Silverio Villegas González near Chicago, FOIA requests reveal no investigation has been launched by local or federal officials.
Illinois 4th District Race: After Chuy García, What's Next?
Chuy García's sudden retirement sparked a scramble in Illinois' 4th District, with four independents challenging Democratic heir apparent Patty García.
SuperChef Darnell Ferguson Wants to Change How Chicago Eats
Food Network star Darnell 'SuperChef' Ferguson is bringing his grocery store revolution to Chicago, teaching home cooks how to elevate comfort food classics without breaking the bank.
South Side Residents Demand Say in $500 Million Quantum Campus Development
Hundreds of South Side residents gathered Saturday to voice concerns about a planned $9 billion quantum computing campus and demand community control over the $500 million in state funding dedicated to the project.
Little Village Man Deported Under Gang Label Rebuilds Life in Mexico After 33 Years
Francisco Gonzalez-Jasso stood on a street in Torreón, Mexico, calling out his brother's name after 33 years of separation. The 55-year-old Little Village resident had been deported from Chicago in October, labeled by federal authorities as a Latin Kings gang member despite having no criminal record.
Field Museum Botanist's Moss Analysis Helped Convict Burr Oak Cemetery Grave Robbers
A tiny clump of moss became crucial evidence that helped convict four employees in the notorious Burr Oak Cemetery grave robbing scandal, according to newly published research from Chicago's Field Museum.
Lincoln Park Reader Fan Praises Return to Long-Form Journalism, Voices Concerns Over Lakefront Development
A longtime Chicago Reader subscriber has praised the alternative weekly's recent return to detailed reporting while expressing concerns about lakefront development on the South Side, according to a letter published in the newspaper.
Chicago Organizations Launch Programs to Help LGBTQ+ Workers Build Lasting Careers
Chicago organizations are expanding employment initiatives designed to help LGBTQ+ residents not only find jobs, but stay in them long enough to build careers, according to local advocacy groups.
Chicago Area Braces for Temperature Drop and Possible Snow This Weekend
Chicago residents should prepare for a dramatic weather shift as temperatures plummet from Friday's unseasonable 65-degree warmth to potential snow conditions by Saturday evening, according to NBC 5 Storm Team forecasts.
Chicago School Board Approves Two-Year Calendar with First Semester Ending After Winter Break
The Chicago Board of Education unanimously approved school calendars for the next two academic years Thursday, settling on a schedule that will have the first semester end after winter break despite initial concerns from board members.
No. 10 St. Patrick Crushes Notre Dame 57-26 in Heated Rivalry Playoff Matchup
St. Patrick dominated longtime rival Notre Dame 57-26 Wednesday night in a Class 4A regional semifinal that showcased one of Illinois high school basketball's most intense rivalries, according to game reports.
Study Reveals Chicago Police Disproportionately Use Force Against Black and Latino Residents
Chicago police officers disproportionately used force against Black and Latino residents compared to white residents, even when accounting for arrest rates and crime suspicion levels, according to a court-ordered study examining four years of police data.
South Chicago residents launch new community plan
More than 1,000 South Chicago residents helped create a new quality of life plan focusing on seven key areas as the quantum campus development takes shape.