(a) The 23rd circuit shall have a total of 7 resident judgeships (5 resident judgeships existing on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, the resident judgeship for Kendall County that is to be filled by election at the 2012 general election, and the resident judgeship for Kendall County created by the first vacancy of an at large judgeship or resident judgeship in the new 16th circuit).
     (b) Vacancies in resident judgeships of the 23rd circuit shall be filled in the manner provided in Article VI of the Illinois Constitution.