This Article applies only to community college districts in cities having a population of 500,000 or more inhabitants. Each such community college district shall maintain a system of community colleges under the charge of a board, which is appointed as provided in Section 7-2. Except as otherwise provided in this Article, such a community college district and its board have all the rights, duties, powers and responsibilities and are subject to the same limitations as are provided for other community college districts in this Act, as now or hereafter amended.