Good afternoon! Is spring finally here to stay? The high temperature could be around 70 degrees — or higher – every day this week. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. The Chicago Bears proposed stadium could cost taxpayers another $1.2 billion, a state official says

The Bears’ pitch for a new stadium came with a $4.7 billion price tag, but taxpayers could end up paying $5.9 billion, my colleagues Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout report for the Chicago Sun-Times.

The costs would help the Bears build and finance the stadium and retire existing debt used to renovate Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field, where the White Sox play.

Add to that the $1 billion already paid to revamp Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field, and the overall cost to taxpayers is $6.9 billion, Frank Bilecki, executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, told the Sun-Times.

Gov. JB Pritzker, who has yet to meet with the Bears, told the newspaper the team also wants to keep all the revenue from other events at the stadium, such as the sold-out shows by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé last summer.

Under the existing Soldier Field lease, the talent pays a fee to use the stadium on non-game days, including concerts, soccer matches and college football games. The talent keeps ticket revenue, but the park district gets all food and beverage and parking revenue. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Hundreds gathered at a visitation for Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca

Law enforcement officers from Illinois and Indiana were among those who lined up yesterday outside Blake-Lamb Funeral Home for the visitation service, my colleague Emmanuel Camarillo writes for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Huesca was shot multiple times while driving home from work April 20. An arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect.

Sandra Wortham, president of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, said Huesca’s family was still reeling.

“I think what they want is what we all we want, which is for the offender who committed this murder to be apprehended and to face the justice that he deserves, quickly,” Wortham told the Sun-Times. “We, of course, wish we never met them, respectfully; we wish they were living their lives and Officer Huesca was here and doing the job he loved.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson did not attend Huesca’s funeral today because the officer’s mother said the family does not want him there. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Candace Parker announced her retirement after 16 seasons and three WNBA championships

Parker, who attended Naperville Central High School, broke the news on Instagram over the weekend, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

“I’m retiring,” Parker wrote. “I promised I’d never cheat the game and that I’d leave it in a better place than I came into it. The competitor in me always wants one more, but it’s time. My heart and body knew, but I needed to give my mind time to accept it.”

Her impact on the game and the WNBA was cited by former Sky teammates, who learned of the news after their first practice of the season.

“The way she changed this organization from the day she got here is something I’ll never forget,” shooting guard Diamond DeShields said.

In her first season with the Sky, Parker led the franchise to its first and only WNBA title, averaging 13.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and four assists. She earned her sixth All-Star nod that season. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. The Cook County Forest Preserves is launching a $10 million makeover of Palos Preserves

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is undertaking what officials say is the biggest ecological restoration project in its history — a $10 million plan to improve more than 1,000 acres of land in southwest suburbs.

Over the next few years, invasive species such as honeysuckle, which block out sunlight from native grasses and plants closer to the ground, will be removed in a section of the Palos Preserves.

Work will also be done to prevent soil erosion, fix up walking trails where gravel has washed away and improve signage to help hikers better navigate the preserves.

This effort is part of the Forest Preserve District’s ambitious goal to restore and maintain some 30,000 acres by 2040. [WBEZ]

5. A rare crane rescued in Wilmette was returned to Wisconsin

A whooping crane — one of the rarest birds in North America — made an unexpected stop in Wilmette last week, my colleagues Kade Heather and Mary Norkel report for the Sun-Times.

A nearly 1-year-old bird, who was making her first migration north to Wisconsin, lost her four companions and found herself wandering in the northern suburb.

The crane, named Animal, is part of a small flock of whooping cranes that migrates between Wisconsin and Florida.

Members of the International Crane Foundation came to the rescue: offering Animal grapes before securing the bird. All told, the rescue took about 10 minutes and the bird was driven to the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in Mayville, Wisconsin, and released before sunset. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• UChicago students today joined a national campus protest in support of Palestinians. [Chicago Sun-Times]

• Affluent Americans are driving the U.S. economy — and likely delaying the need for Fed rate cuts. [AP]

• “Vampire facials” at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico led to HIV infections in three women, the CDC says. [AP]

• Here’s what this summer’s weather could look like across the U.S. [CNN]

Oh, and one more thing …

Fifteen migrant couples — mostly from Venezuela — got married over the weekend in a large ceremony near downtown Chicago.

The brides gathered hours before the ceremony and shared personal makeup and hair care products. The men helped each other tie their ties just right. And the children gathered around an iPad while waiting for the service to begin.

About 150 people attended the nearly two-and-a-half hour ceremony. You can see photos of the preparation, nuptials and reception in the link. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

The warmer weather has me finalizing summer plans. So I’m wondering, what Chicago-area festivals or events are you looking forward to?