ASSOCIATED PRESS April 18, 2012 1:59PM

Updated: April 18, 2012 2:00PM

The Illinois National Guard will be used during next month’s NATO summit to help transport foreign leaders around Chicago.

National Guard Major Troy Scott said guard troops will also conduct domestic response drills during the summit to prepare for any event in the city that may require their use.

Guard officials say between 500 and 600 guard troops will be in Chicago as part of teams moving NATO delegations in civilian vehicles between venues and performing ceremonial tasks related to the meetings.

The city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications says Chicago this week is the site of routine training designed to improve the military’s ability to operate in urban environments. Officials say that training has nothing to do with the summit.