There are some shade tolerant deer food sources . Honeysuckle is one that is very high in food value for deer with the added benefit of being pleasant to smell.
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/jp_honeysuckle.htm in ILL.
but see this
Illegal Plants - Kudzu and six varieties of buckthorn, all exotic species that can take over the landscape and choke out native plants, are now illegal in Illinois. The new law adds kudzu and six non-native species of buckthorn (common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, saw-toothed buckthorn, dahurian buckthorn, Japanese buckthorn and Chinese buckthorn) to the list of Illinois exotic weeds, making it illegal to buy, sell or plant these species in Illinois. These species join Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) on the exotic weed list.
Plants in forest openings highly preferred by deer
include Japanese honeysuckle, blackberry, greenbriar,
strawberry bush, persimmon, ash, and oaks. The
protein content and yield of these plants can be raised
by fertilization, which should help attract deer. Using a
timed-release fertilizer high in nitrogen, such as 36-3-7,
will save time, effort and cost, and will minimize loss of
nitrogen through leaching and volatilization.
Rye grass seed planted just before the leaves fall will probably do ok.
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