companies owed wont respond

What is the name of your state? illinois
going thru credit report trying to clean up bad credit and/or decide if bankruptcy needs to be filed. there are 2 major outstanding loans, both for vehicles. one was opened in 1998, vehicle was totaled, lawsuit never settled. other loan was opened in 1997, vehicle was repossed. have tried contacting both companies as to outstanding balances etc etc. both companies refuse to give any information. Neither company have tried to seek payment in 5-6 years that loans have been open. how can we legally get these companies to answer our questions?
Both loans were signed by husband and his exwife, can either company seek financial settlement from myself, such as putting a lien on property owned in my name only?

[JETX]

"have tried contacting both companies as to outstanding balances etc etc. both companies refuse to give any information."
*** How have you tried contacting them?? Did you contact them in WRITING??
If so, I find it hard to believe that a creditor would not try to work with you to pay this debt.

husband called both companies.....one company had him verify personal info to be sure it was him, then told him there was no info about the loan available. my question is if there was no info available why did they have him verify who he was and how were they able to verify it was him against nothing?
the other company asked for a call back number as they had to search old records...call was never returned, he called again and was told no info was available.
according to credit report both loans are still listed under original companies they were taken out with.

[JETX]

Lets try this again....
- Two choices, contact them in writing and request payment information, or
- Don't pay and hope/let the SOL expire.

let the SOL expire? what is that?

Statute Of Limitations, Illinois is 5 years, I think.

some info
[url]http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/auntie/questions.cfm/objectID/DC42474B-CFA3-4F05-9724B2FFBA7EE6B0/catID/8DA53DB0-172E-4CFD-94C67EF8DD1E31BA[/url]

thank you for info cossi...checking into it now