Lawns - Thin grass coverage, turning brown

I have a new yard and decided to plant grass back in June. The backyard is coming in fine and it receives a pretty steady amount of sunlight. The front however only receives partial sunlight and is much thinner than the backyard. Also a decent size portion has begun to turn brown and die. Since the yard doesn't receive much sun the soil stays really moist and we had a ton of rain recently (Chicago). I tried to reseed and fertilize again a couple of weeks ago but nothing changed, it's only gotten worse. Any ideas? The only thing I can think of is that 1. I over watered. 2. the last application of fertilizer burned the grass. 3. I need to use a different type of grass seed.

You are trying to establish a lawn at the worst possible time of year.you really might want to hold off untill fall.some of your issues may be fungus from overly wet/over watering (you mght have whats called brown patch) and you may be need to use a fescue for shade where you are having trouble and it's shady.

Right now I'd get some lawn fungicide and put that down,water only a couple times a week and if it's rainy not even that much,and wait out the rest of the summer to seed.

Then I'd hook up with a local non big box hardware store or garden center that has sales help with knowledge and knows what does best on your area aqnd talk to them about shade fescue and apply starter ferilizer when you put that down.If you can find a Scott's lawn pro dealer they have a full all year long lawn plan that works well.

In the winter you'd want to put down a winter forula and if you have a crabgrass issue use premergent crabgrass control plus fertilizer probably around March where you are,but people in the business there willm know when is best.