Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period. While you see a 33% approval rate across her entire record since 2017, her latest-period approval rate of 23% sits below the Orland Park office's latest-period rate of 43%. These figures are derived from 1,953 decisions on record, providing a view of past activity.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Akers's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since December 2017, your judge's approval rate has fluctuated. After a period of growth peaking at 48% in 2024, the rate shifted to 31% in 2025 and 23% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent decline represents a divergence from the historical average on record, reflecting a shift in outcomes that may be influenced by changes in case mix or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Akers's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Orland Park hearing office
The Orland Park Hearing Office serves claimants across Illinois and the surrounding region. With 9 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a diverse bench with varying approval patterns. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 43%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Orland Park
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orland Park office. Approval rates among these peers range from 25% to 69% on their respective records.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Janet Akers has an approval rate of 33% on her record since 2017. This sits within the 25% to 69% range observed among the 9 judges whose most recent office on record is the Orland Park Hearing Office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Janet Akers has varied over time. It reached a high of 48% in 2024 before moving to 23% in the most recent partial fiscal year. Understanding these trends is part of how an attorney can help you prepare your case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where you, your attorney, and potentially a vocational or medical expert testify before the judge. The judge will review your medical evidence and ask questions about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your evidence is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how Janet Akers will rule on your specific claim. Your outcome depends heavily on the medical evidence and testimony provided. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for your hearing.
