Who decides cases at this office
The 10 judges at this office show a wide spread in their approval rates, ranging from 35% to 84%. Because outcomes vary significantly across the panel, your case outcome may depend on which judge is assigned to your hearing. Since assignments are random, your best strategy is to build a record so strong that it meets the evidentiary standards of any judge on the panel.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bernadette Freeman | 84% | 953 | |
| 2 | William J. Mackowiak | 81% | 2,711 | |
| 3 | Claudia Travis | 77% | 1,046 | |
| 4 | Steven H. Templin | 76% | 831 | |
| 5 | James A. Horn | 64% | 66 | |
| 6 | Joel G. Fina | 61% | 3,639 | |
| 7 | Robert M. Senander | 60% | 835 | |
| 8 | John K. Kraybill | 57% | 467 | |
| 9 | Janice M. Bruning | 55% | 4,605 | |
| 10 | Edward P. Studzinski | 35% | 4,649 |
How long you'll wait
At Oak Brook, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Going to your hearing
Hearings at this office move faster than many others, so you must submit all updated medical records well before your hearing date. You will appear before an ALJ, often with a vocational expert present to testify about available work. Your prep should focus on creating a daily-activity log that highlights exactly how your symptoms prevent you from performing basic tasks. Because the panel here has a wide range of approval rates, your file must be self-explanatory and comprehensive. Ensure your medication list includes documented side effects, as these often impact your ability to sustain work. Decisions are rarely made on the spot; you will typically receive a written notice by mail several weeks after your appearance.
When a panel's approval rates span nearly 50 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it due to weak documentation. An attorney who understands the tendencies of the Oak Brook panel can help you identify the specific evidence needed to bridge the gap between your medical history and the vocational expert's testimony.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at Oak Brook, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.
Frequently asked questions
The current average wait for a hearing at this office is 7 months, which is faster than the 8.2-month national average. An attorney can help you manage your case timeline.
Cases are assigned randomly to one of the 10 ALJs at this office. Because each judge weighs evidence differently, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of the panel.
Generally, you cannot choose your judge. However, if you believe there is a conflict of interest, you or your attorney can file a formal request for recusal.
While not required, represented claimants are statistically more likely to be allowed benefits. An attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the vocational expert's testimony.