Dissidents have been silenced under the threat of being laid off.

Journalists are kept at arm's length by the ruling party.

Officials won't explain why they make certain decisions.

No, we're not describing some foreign dictatorship here.

It's just another day in Illinois.

To explain: When Gov. Rod Blagojevich cut the budget of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency last month, the obvious question was whether it would mean the closure of some of the state's treasured historic sites.

Some workers, many of them well-known in their communities because of the role the sites play in the fabric of those cities and villages, have been quoted in the press, expressing their concerns.

But, according to several of the workers, administration officials told employees to keep their mouths shut about the closures. The administration wants to speak with one unified voice.

It's all particularly ironic, since many of the historic sites celebrate the very seedlings of our democracy, which is based on the right to speak freely.

Speaking of China

From the Department of Curious Omissions comes this:

According to the Blagojevich administration, the State of Illinois is not sending anyone in any official capacity to attend the Olympic games in Beijing as part of Chicago's bid to win the 2016 games.

"No one from DCEO is going to the Olympics, and I am not aware of anyone from the administration going either," said Ashley Cross, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

In other words, the state that could play host to the Olympics isn't sending anyone to help sell the International Olympic Committee on the Land of Lincoln.

Then again, given the way things keep backfiring on the governor, maybe Chicago Mayor Richard Daley didn't want any help.

They're back

Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday and Wednesday at the behest of the governor.

He wants them to deal with two topics: School funding and a statewide construction plan.

Blagojevich's call for a special session comes against the backdrop of those aforementioned budget cuts to state historic sites.

His office estimates that reducing hours at places like Lincoln's Tomb and New Salem will save about $95,000.

The cost of calling lawmakers back to Springfield for two days is estimated at $80,000.

Here's a thought: Blagojevich could just cancel the special session and keep the historic sites open. He could make up the $15,000 difference by hanging out in Springfield for the entire week of the state fair, rather than flying home at taxpayer expense every night.

Closed mouth

There are many reasons the state still doesn't have a capital construction program on the books.

Some lawmakers didn't want to expand gambling to pay for the projects. Some don't think it's a good idea to sell the lottery to finance the plan.

Others don't trust the governor to fairly distribute projects across the state.

For the latter, they don't want to vote for a construction plan until they see a list of projects that will be financed by the program.

Among them are state Reps. John Bradley, a Marion Democrat, and Roger Eddy, a Hutsonville Republican.

Back in July, the duo asked for a list of which school districts will get money for local projects via the construction program.

The answer from the state school superintendent: We can't tell you until we find out how much money there will be.

Along those same lines, we requested copies of all agreements between Blagojevich and individual lawmakers concerning project requests.

These agreements, called "Memorandums of Understanding," would provide at least a snapshot of some of the projects that might be funded if a capital plan is ever agreed upon.

The answer from the governor's lawyers: You can't have them.

For now, it appears those hoping to see how their money would be spent will just have to watch their wallets and hope for the best.

Rubber check

$20,000. That's how much taxpayers will spend this year to pay a Logan County company to pick up and recycle scrap rubber off interstate highways in the central and western part of the state.

KURT ERICKSON heads the Lee Enterprises Springfield Bureau, which serves The Southern and other Lee newspapers; he can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.