Received a summons

[Pattyannr]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Illinois
Hoping someone could advise what we should do.
Yesterday we received a summons to appear in court next week for a sears bill.
We got behind on the bill in 1997 at which time they cut off our credit which had a limit of $1260. We paid intermittantly on this bill over the years due to finacial/health problems. I asked sears countless times over the years to close the account or I could see no way of ever being able to pay it off since no matter what I scraped up to give them it never was enough to bring the bill down. They told me I could never close the account until I paid it off. They harrassed us constantly for payment calling sometimes 20 times a day.I paid them approx.$3600 until finally last year a friend told me that they had to close the account if I put it in writing. I did that and they sent me a letter stating that they would quit calling me but I still owed the money which was now over $5700 because of interest.
Sears gave our account to a collection agency who is now taking us to court for the money.
I can not afford and attorney. If any one has any advice i would sure appreciate it. Thank you