(a) The State, its political units, agencies and other public institutions shall purchase from Illinois Correctional Industries all manufactured goods, articles, materials, industry related services, food stuffs, and supplies required by them which are produced or manufactured by persons confined in institutions and facilities of the Department. The Secretary of State may purchase from the Department vehicle registration plates produced by persons confined in institutions and facilities of the Department. The Secretary shall determine reasonable specifications and prices of such vehicle registration plates as agreed upon with the Department. Not-for-profit corporations chartered in Illinois or other States may purchase such goods and services. Units of the Federal government and units of government in other States may also purchase such goods and services. All entities which contract with the State, its political units, its agencies, its public institutions or not-for-profit corporations chartered in Illinois may purchase goods or services from the Department which are used in the performance of such contracts. Nothing shall prohibit the Department from bidding on portions of a State contract which are subcontracted by the primary contractor. The public may purchase crushed limestone and lime dust for agricultural and horticultural purposes and hardwood. Illinois Correctional Industries may also sell grain from its agricultural operations on the open market. All other articles, materials, industry related services, food stuffs and supplies which are produced or manufactured by persons confined in institutions and facilities of the Department shall be available for sale on the open market.
     (b) Allocation of goods shall be made in the following manner:
         (1) first, for needs of the Department of Corrections