Lake County briefs

Bird out in 10th:

Patricia Bird, a political researcher and business owner from Mount Prospect, announced Thursday that she is withdrawing as a candidate in the 10th Congressional District. Bird, a Republican who lost a bid for Mount Prospect mayor last spring, did not explain her decision. The race for the 10th District seat being vacated by Mark Kirk, who is running for U.S. Senate, is expected to draw national party attention. State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson of Glenview is also a Republican candidate. For Democrats, Wilmette business consultant Dan Seals is making a third run for the seat. He is joined by State Rep. Julie Hamos of Evanston and Elliott Richardson of Highland Park.

Train delay in Lake Zurich:

A CN train was stopped for about 27 minutes near the Ela and Cuba roads intersection in Lake Zurich Thursday morning. The delay caused several students from Isaac Fox Elementary School to be late to classes. The district's transportation office sent out an audio e-mail to parents informing them of the delay. Another bus was sent out after the train passed to pick up the remaining students. Isaac Fox was notified and no students late due to the train were marked tardy. Village administrator Bob Vitas said this is the first CN train delay he has heard of since the trains first started moving through the area. Vitas said rail business is down and the village is seeing less CN traffic than they initially anticipated.