Agricultural investment announced for Gilman as local development discussions continue

A major agricultural investment has been identified in Gilman, according to a June 29, 2026 district update from Illinois Sen. Chris Balkema’s office.

The update listed a “Major Agricultural Investment” in Gilman but did not name the investor or project. It also did not provide an investment amount, site, acreage, expected jobs, permits, construction schedule or approval status.

An Iroquois County Board report separately says Thomas Hill of Scout Clean Energy introduced himself and that the company was working with the local Gilman community to develop its project. The county report does not establish that Scout Clean Energy’s project is the agricultural investment referenced by Balkema, or that the project has been approved, financed or scheduled for construction.

Local infrastructure context

The City of Gilman describes an industrial park with access to the Illinois Central and TP&W railroads. The city also says it is pursuing sewer, water and street improvements through a new tax-increment-financing district. Its prior TIF district expired at the end of 2022, and the city says it received notice in 2021 of a $2 million downtown streetscape grant.

The investment’s scale and timing—and any resulting effects on agricultural activity, employment, land use, roads, utilities or tax revenue—remain unspecified. The next documented local step is the city’s infrastructure effort, while further details about the investment have not been announced.