A recent article in the Canton, Illinois, Daily Ledger had some good insight to lawn care. Part of the strategy including Topdressing and Aeration. Seeding the thin areas was also discuseed. To read more go to the following site; www.cantondailyledger.com/articles/2007/09/20/news/news11.txt
You may need to find someone with a Topdresser and an Aerator to do some of the work for you but the rest is pretty simple. Enjoy your fall.