This Section applies only to counties of 3,000,000 or more population. When a vacancy occurs in the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court of any of the counties in this State, it shall be the duty of the Circuit Judges of the respective judicial circuit in which such vacancy may occur, to make an appointment to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. However, if more than 28 months remain in the term, the appointment shall be until the next general election, at which time a clerk of the circuit court shall be elected for the balance of the unexpired term. The appointee shall be a member of the same political party as the person he succeeds was at the time of his election and shall be otherwise eligible to serve as Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Judges may appoint a Clerk Pro Tempore for whatever period is necessary while reviewing the qualifications of candidates for appointment to the office.