A native of Manchester, Iowa, McCormick earned a bachelor's degree in 1972 from Northwestern University, majoring in political science and journalism.
[3] While at Newsweek, McCormick covered a variety of Midwest and national stories, including Chicago's Gangster Disciples street gang,[3] the Tribune Company's purchase of Times Mirror Corporation,[3] a hazing incident at Massachusetts Institute of Technology,[4] and public housing in Chicago.
[10][11][12] In a first-person essay titled "Life on Blago's enemies list", McCormick expressed his bafflement at being singled out by Blagojevich.
"[11] McCormick also noted that he "never had a personal tiff" with Blagojevich, who had always been cordial when he visited the Tribune for editorial board meetings.
"[11] McCormick and his wife, Dawn, have two sons, Michael and Conor, and live in La Grange Park, Illinois.