The unemployment office in Freeport is now closed for good.

About 10 percent of Freeport residents are unemployed. After today, they will have to travel at least 25 miles to get to the nearest unemployment office.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security decided to close the Freeport location because its lease expires today. Also because not many people were coming into the office for help.

Some unemployed Freeport residents depend on the local office in finding their next job.

"I like to be able to meet somebody face to face and explain my problem, rather than push 1 or push 2 or push 3," said Sheila McCarthy, who lost her seasonal position on Wednesday. "You know, try to get a physical person. That's important."

The Illinois Department of Employment Security said that more than half of all people now apply for unemployment benefits on the internet, instead of actually going into a nearby office.

In the past, IDES spokesman Greg Rivara told us none of the office workers were going to be laid off, and are instead being transferred to the Rockford or Sterling locations.