The girl was walking around 4 p.m. in the 800-block of East 63rd Street in the city's Woodlawn neighborhood when the man approached her from behind and tried to grab her, police said.
She managed to break free and ran for help. Police said the suspect ran in an unknown direction and is still on the loose.
He was described as a black man, thought to be between 20 and 30 years old, standing about 5-foot-4, with a medium build, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans, police said.
Police asked families in the neighborhood to be aware of this situation, to alert neighbors, to call 911 to report any suspicious people and not to let children walk or play alone.
Anyone with information regarding the attempted abduction should call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.