SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Senate President Don Harmon issued the following statement on the passing of former state senator Deanna Demuzio:

“Deanna Demuzio dedicated her life to community and public service. Along the way, she made great friends and taught us all so much about how to be better. She fought hard to improve our education system after years spent working at Lewis and Clark Community College and to fight for better health care given how it affected her family. She took up all of this after tragically losing another great friend of Illinois, her husband, Senator Vince Demuzio.

“I was honored to know and work alongside her in the Illinois Senate. She will forever be remembered for her dedication and commitment to the people of Illinois. Anyone who knew Deanna and Vince automatically thinks of them whenever driving through Carlinville. My condolences to her family and friends.”