Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While the 70% approval rate on record since 2016 provides a broad view of history, recent performance is best measured against the latest reporting period. In the most recent data, Michael G. Logan shows an approval rate of 69%, which compares to the office-wide rate of 54%. These figures are derived from a volume of 3,127 decisions on record since 2016.
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 Logan'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 January 2016, the approval rate for Michael G. Logan has fluctuated, reaching a high of 82% in 2024 before settling at 69% in the most recent partial fiscal year. With 3,127 decisions on record, the data reveals a trend that has moved between 60% and 82% over the last decade. The latest period approval rate of 69% remains consistent with the long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Logan'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 Chicago hearing office
The Chicago hearing office serves you and other claimants across Illinois and the surrounding region. As of the most recent data from July 2026, this office is staffed by a bench of 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. The office-wide approval rate for the latest period is 54%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 8 of them having decided cases here in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 41% to 82% on their since-2016 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
Michael G. Logan has an approval rate of 69% in the latest reporting period, which is 15 percentage points higher than the 54% average for the Chicago hearing office. Because case assignment is random, working with a qualified attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Michael G. Logan has shifted over time, ranging from a low of 60% in 2016 to a high of 82% in 2024. With 3,127 decisions on record, these fluctuations reflect the evolving nature of the cases heard. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, ensuring that assignments remain random. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure the judge has a clear picture of your disability.
A judge's approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Michael G. Logan has a 70% approval rate on record since 2016, the outcome of your hearing depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear.
