The analytical expression of the cross-spectral density of partially coherent elegant Laguerre-Gaussian beams propagating in free space has been derived. The coherence vortex properties of such beams have been investigated. The effect of the beam parameters, including the topological charge, radial mode index and coherence length on the coherent vortex, is analyzed. The results show that the higher order (lth) of coherent vortices split to lth first order of coherent vortex. New coherent vortices of opposite sign appear, and then pairs of coherent vortices form. The propagation distance and coherence length affect the generation of coherent vortices, while the radial mode index doesn’t affect the coherent vortices. These results might be helpful for potential application of such beams in optical communication.