Jeff Steele has been an independent writer in Chicago since December 1989. He has more than 1,500 bylined Chicago Tribune articles that have examined a wide array of topics, including real estate, communities, consumer issues, health care, employment, investing and finance, education, transportation and history. Steel has written print and radio advertising, direct mail, brochures and promotional material for such well-known companies and brands as Insignia ESG, Rand-McNally, Sears, Florsheim, the John Hancock Observatory, Dannon Yogurt, Fleer Gum and Hidden Valley Ranch, among others. Prior to becoming an independent writer, Steele worked for six years in the advertising industry as a copywriter with three Chicago advertising agencies.