I recently connected PVG-ORD onwards to ORD-LGA and made it from gate to gate (with terminal transfer) in an not too shabby 45 minutes. So it's far from impossible. I was in J and had no checked bags, which matters, but still don't give up all hope yet.
Now today is not a normal travel day at ORD due to weather but mine wasn't either (Sunday after Thanksgiving) in terms of heavy flight loads, though weather wasn't a factor.
Keep your fingers crossed and advise her to haul from the gate and through immigration/customs, but it's not a lost cause.