Approval rates
The approval rate for William J. Mackowiak is based on 2,711 lifetime decisions recorded between 2016 and 2021. When evaluating this figure, consider that the Oak Brook hearing office bench features a wide range of lifetime approval rates, spanning from 35% to 84%. This variance highlights the importance of presenting a well-documented case regardless of your assigned judge. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mackowiak. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Mackowiak'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
The record for William J. Mackowiak shows a steady pattern of activity throughout the 2016 to 2021 window. While approval rates fluctuated year-over-year—ranging from a low of 69% in 2018 to a high of 89% in 2017—the overall volume of 2,711 lifetime decisions provides a stable view of his adjudication history. The most recent data from 2021 shows an approval rate of 88%. This trend suggests a consistent application of Social Security Administration standards over the observed period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mackowiak'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the Oak Brook hearing office
The Oak Brook hearing office serves you throughout Illinois and is a key site for disability adjudications in the region. The office maintains a diverse bench of 10 judges on record, ensuring that cases are processed through a structured administrative system. You can expect a formal hearing environment where medical documentation and vocational testimony are prioritized. You can see the Oak Brook Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. There are 10 judges on record at the Oak Brook hearing office since 2016, with a wide range of lifetime approval rates from 35% to 84%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare.
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
William J. Mackowiak maintains a lifetime approval rate of 81%, which sits at the higher end of the 35% to 84% range observed among the 10 judges on record at the Oak Brook office. While this rate is higher than many peers, every case is evaluated on its own merits. An attorney can help you determine how to best present your specific medical evidence to this judge.
The approval rate for William J. Mackowiak has shown some variation, starting at 85% in 2016 and reaching 88% in 2021, with a mid-period dip to 69% in 2018. These fluctuations often reflect changes in the types of cases heard or the quality of evidence provided. An attorney can help you understand how to navigate these trends by ensuring your claim is as strong as possible.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-based algorithm to assign cases to judges at the Oak Brook office. Since you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical records is the best way to prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ, such as William J. Mackowiak, reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your daily limitations and work history, and a vocational expert may testify about available jobs. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.