Another lawsuit has been filed over the governor’s fund sweeps.

A national insurers association has sued Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other state officials for diverting more than $7 million from a trust fund designed to finance auto theft-prevention programs to the general revenue fund that’s used to pay most state bills.

Money has been taken from Illinois’ Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund since fiscal 2003, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, which filed the suit Monday in Sangamon County Circuit Court. For fiscal 2007, which begins July 1, $2 million will be diverted to the general fund, said Joseph Annotti, the association’s senior vice president of public affairs.

“We were hopeful that it was kind of a one-time deal and that the funds would be replenished or reimbursed, but clearly this is becoming a pattern,” Annotti said. “We think this is a dangerous pattern because since these funds have been siphoned off, the types of proven, effective programs that have cut auto thefts have been eliminated or severely cut. And that to us means that there’s going to be an increase in auto theft. It’s not a matter of if, but when.”

Annotti said the prevention fund supports educational programs on stopping auto theft, law enforcement initiatives for tracking stolen vehicles, and a task force in high-theft cities, especially those in Cook County. […]

Annotti believes the association, headquartered in Des Plaines, has “solid legal ground” in moving forward with its complaint.

“On principle alone, if a law exists that said funds are to be dedicated to a specific program, the governor or any other state officials should not be allowed to divert them for other purposes,” he said.