CHICAGO – A monumental former prison in suburban Chicago — featured in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers" – might serve as a temporary detention facility for those arrested during the NATO summit in Chicago next month.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is considering the former Joliet Correctional Center as an option for NATO protesters arrested for serious offenses, the Chicago Sun-Times reported in its Sunday edition. However, it's unclear if the prison, which has been closed since 2002 and is a tourist destination for its movie-star status, would be viable.

Thousands of demonstrators are expected to protest the summit that will bring President Barack Obama and the leaders of more than 50 nations to McCormick Place on May 20-21. Chicago officials have amped up security with help from Illinois State Police and the Illinois National Guard