I chanced upon the Web site for the Illinois Tenants Union, and note that it’s still being run by Michael Pensack, who’s apparently completed some schooling since I last heard of him.
Pensack’s Web site says that he is “a licensed Illinois attorney who specializes in landlord and tenant law.”
He hasn’t, it appears, read the Illinois Supreme Court’s Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys. Rule 7.4-c states, in relevant part, that
a lawyer may not use the terms “certified,” “specialist,” “expert,” or any other, similar terms to describe his qualifications as a lawyer or his qualifications in any subspecialty of the law.
It’s a good general rule to never hire an attorney who describes himself as a specialist. By doing so, he’s told you he doesn’t understand his professional responsibilities.