In addition to connecting Ripley and Beardstown, IL 103 serves the community of Sugar Grove.

The route follows the LaMoine River eastward, passing through a forested area.

After the river turns to the south, the highway continues east through farmland.

After passing through Sugar Grove, the highway enters Bainbridge Township, where it makes a small southward dip through a tree-lined area.

[2] A road between Ripley and the route's current eastern terminus was first marked on state highway maps in 1924; this route began at Ripley and ran parallel to and south of the current route on its western half, before turning north and following the eastern half of the current alignment.