SPRINGFIELD -- With polls showing no clear frontrunner in the Republican race for governor, former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan launched a political comeback tour Tuesday.

Standing in front of a statue of Abraham Lincoln on the grounds of the Illinois Capitol, the 63-year-old Elmhurst attorney said nearly eight years of Democratic rule has put the state in deep debt.

"State government in Illinois has failed us," said Ryan, who lost a bid for governor in 2002.

He pledged to not raise taxes to fill the state's $11 billion deficit, calling a tax hike during an economic downturn a "poison pill."

"It would kill Illinois' economy," he said.

To close the gap, Ryan said he would cut spending and revamp the state's Medicaid system by moving more people into cheaper managed care programs. He also said he would change how retired state employees get their health insurance.

He also would cut spending by changing state employee pension plans - a move that has been vigorously opposed by unions.

"It's just unsustainable. We just can't afford it," Ryan said.

Ryan, who left politics in 2002 after losing to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich by a 52-45 margin, joins six others seeking his party's nomination in the Feb. 2 primary.

Among them is state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who is counting on strong support in downstate Illinois in hopes his opponents split votes in their home region of Chicago.

Others include state Sen. Kirk Dillard and political newcomer Adam Andrzejewski, both of Hinsdale, and DuPage County Board President Bob Schillerstrom of Naperville. Chicago-based candidates are former Illinois Republican Party chairman Andy McKenna and political consultant Dan Proft.

Ryan, a former DuPage County prosecutor, served two terms as attorney general. He ran for governor against the backdrop of corruption in former Gov. George Ryan's administration and was dogged by the name "Ryan" even though he is not related to the imprisoned former chief executive.

But, Ryan is not unscathed by the scandals that have dogged Illinois government in recent years.

One of Ryan's biggest campaign contributors was Stuart Levine, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with corruption in the Blagojevich administration.

Ryan said he no longer has a relationship with Levine.

"My judgment of Stu at the time was that he was a good man. Obviously there was another side I didn't know about," Ryan said. "He led a secret life."

Since losing the 2002 race, Ryan has been largely out of the public eye. He holds a teaching position at Benedictine University in Lisle.

"I look at politics differently now," Ryan said.