A press release from the Newt Gingrich for President organization:

Illinois With Newt campaign to file full slate for Illinois GOP Primary

Newt Gingrich talks to a man at a September Barrington Hills fund raiser. Photo credit: Warner Todd Huston.

BARRINGTON, IL – On Friday, January 6, 2012, Illinois supporters of Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich will be filing petitions to put Gingrich and a full slate of delegates on the ballot for Illinois’ March 20th primary election.  Over 32,000 signatures were collected by volunteers from around the state during an intensive three-week effort.

The chairman of the Illinois With Newt campaign is attorney Keith A. Hanson with the Hanson Law Group in Barrington, Illinois and a long-time supporter of Newt Gingrich.

Hanson stated today, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to submit over 32,000 signatures on behalf of Speaker Gingrich and his slate of delegates in support of his presidential bid here in Illinois.  It’s a result of an amazing effort put forth by many dedicated volunteers from across our great state.”

In roughly a month’s time, a team of Republican Party volunteers and grassroots activists from across Illinois were able to organize full slates of 54 delegates and 54 alternates from 33 counties and in all 18 newly drawn congressional districts and collect the required signatures for ballot qualification.

The filing of the petitions begins the next phase of the Illinois With Newt campaign effort where a Campaign Advisory Committee is being finalized and a campaign team has been put in place.

The campaign’s political director will be Nick Provenzano, the former campaign manager for Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh, and current political aide to Congressman Randy Hultgren.

Serving as deputy director will be Chris Provenzano, a former campaign aide and executive assistant to Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan.

Bruce Donnelly, a grassroots specialist from Lake County and Bob Bednar, the Lake Co. GOP Treasurer, will serve as senior advisors to the campaign.

For further updates on the Illinois Newt Gingrich campaign please visit the web site www.IllinoisWithNewt.org.