"There's nothing wrong with Illinois that can't be fixed with better leadership," Daley said.
William Daley says his City Club speech about state leadership targeted not only Governor Pat Quinn, but also legislative leaders who so far have not compromised on Illinois' fiscal issues.
"This sort of bold thinking about compromise and action has not yet happened in Illinois and until it does we can't expect to see a solution to the problems," Daley said.
After the speech, the former U.S. Commerce Secretary, banking executive and White House Chief of Staff was asked point blank if he'll be a candidate for governor in 2014.
"I'm thinking about it seriously," he said. "We are a ways off."
The 64-year-old William is the younger brother of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and current Cook County Commissioner John Daley.
William, or "Bill" as he's called, has never held elective office. During his 30-minute speech he appeared to court public employee unions, who because of contract and pension issues are wavering in their support for incumbent Quinn.
"Obviously the public sector is extremely frustrated, extremely frustrated," said Michael Carrigan, Illinois AFL-CIO. "It's been two years ago, the governor won by 32,000 votes and labor was a huge part of that win."
Daley, who did not use Quinn's name during his speech, was asked afterward what he thought of the governor.
"Pat is, as he says about me I'll say about him, he's a good White Sox fan which makes it even better, but he's a good, decent, honest man."
Daley refused to say what he would do differently than Pat Quinn if he was elected governor. He said he'd answer that question if he decides to run in 2014.
