Masthead
Chicago Gust is an independent, locally owned digital news publication covering Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area.
Publication
Name
Chicago Gust
Ownership
Independently owned
Address
171 N Aberdeen St Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Founded
January 2026
Coverage Area
Chicago and greater Chicagoland (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will Counties)
Contact
Leadership
Michael Kowalski
Editor-in-Chief
Michael Kowalski is the founding editor of Chicago Gust, bringing over two decades of journalism experience to the Windy City's newest independent news publication. A third-generation Chicagoan with deep South Side roots in Bridgeport, Michael spent 15 years at the Chicago Sun-Times covering city hall and local politics before launching Chicago Gust. He holds a journalism degree from Northwestern's Medill School and has received multiple Peter Lisagor Awards for political reporting. When he's not chasing stories, you'll find him at Guaranteed Rate Field watching the Sox or grabbing Italian beef at his neighborhood's legendary spots.
Writing Staff
Danielle Okonkwo
Senior Reporter
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.
Andre Williams
National Correspondent
Andre Williams covers national news with a Chicago angle for Chicago Gust. A Bronzeville native and Northwestern Medill graduate, Andre spent five years in Washington D.C. covering Congress and federal policy before returning home. His beat connects the dots between what happens in Washington and how it affects Chicago—from federal infrastructure funding to immigration policy to criminal justice reform. Andre's incisive analysis helps readers understand how national politics shape their daily lives. Before journalism, he served as a policy analyst for an Illinois congressman.
Christine Fahey
Business Reporter
Christine Fahey covers business, real estate, and economic development for Chicago Gust. An Irish-American from the Lincoln Park area, Christine spent eight years at Crain's Chicago Business covering finance, commercial real estate, and corporate Chicago before joining the team. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and brings analytical rigor to her coverage of the forces shaping Chicago's economy—from Loop office vacancies to neighborhood revitalization projects. Christine's coverage of Chicago's commercial real estate market has been cited by Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.
Megan Choi
Arts & Culture Reporter
Megan Choi covers arts, entertainment, and Chicago's vibrant food scene for Chicago Gust. A Korean-American who grew up in Lincoln Park, Megan studied arts journalism at Columbia College Chicago before working as a freelancer for Time Out Chicago and Eater Chicago. She's your guide to everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to the best hole-in-the-wall taquerias, from major museum exhibitions to underground music venues. Megan believes Chicago's cultural scene rivals any city in the world, and she's on a mission to prove it one story at a time.
Ray Delgado
Staff Writer
Ray Delgado is Chicago Gust's people and community reporter. Born and raised in Pilsen, Ray brings an authentic voice to stories about Chicago's diverse neighborhoods and the people who make them special. After graduating from Loyola University Chicago, he spent several years freelancing for Chicago magazine and the Reader before joining Chicago Gust. His profiles and human interest stories capture the spirit of everyday Chicagoans—from the Pilsen muralist preserving Mexican heritage to the Bronzeville entrepreneur reviving a historic corridor. Ray believes every neighborhood has stories worth telling.
Tom Brennan
General Assignment Reporter
Tom Brennan is Chicago Gust's veteran beat reporter, bringing 25 years of Chicago journalism experience to every story. A Beverly native and lifelong South Sider, Tom has covered nearly every beat in Chicago journalism—from cops to courts to city hall. He started his career at the now-defunct Chicago Daily News, then spent two decades at the Tribune before the latest round of layoffs. Tom's Rolodex is legendary; there isn't a precinct commander, aldermanic aide, or union boss he doesn't know. His old-school shoe-leather reporting brings credibility and depth to Chicago Gust's coverage.