One of the first Cosa Nostra organizations to develop within the United States was the Mafia Family that took hold in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

ButtonGuys has written a short, but concise history about the group that later became known as the Frank Balistrieri Family. We also included a very detailed hierarchical pictorial chart for your enjoyment.

https://thenewyorkmafia.com/the-balistrieri-family-leadership-chart/

The Milwaukee Mafia Family: Don't Sell It Short https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/the-milwaukee-mafia-family-don-t-sell-them-short

The Life and Times of Frank Balistrieri: The Last, Most Powerful Godfather of Milwaukee https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/b...nk-balistrieri-the-last-most-powerful-go

Good read.
If I recall correctly, in the book, "Donnie Brasco," Pistone spent weeks in Milwaukee trying to arrange something with Balistrieri on behalf of the Bonannos, raising the Milwaukee mob's suspicions and (according to him) nearly getting him whacked. That was left out of the movie. Also left out of the movie: Tony Mirra, "a very scary guy."

You are correct. The key Bonanno figure who interacted with Milwaukee was capo Mike Sabella.

It really irks me when Hollywood gets ahold of a story that is amazing in it's own right, then throws in a bunch of bull*hit,that isn't necessary.
In addition to the lack of the Balistrieri and Mirra story line,the movie shows Brasco participating in the dismembering of the 3 captains when in reality he didn't even know about the hit until a few days later.
In the movie we are led to believe that Lefty gets killed. In reality,he was arrested and sentenced to a long prison term.
Then we see the dramatic scene where Donnie and Lefty are on the boat ready to hit Bruno,when the FBI lights up the dock and arrests them both.
In reality,the decision to end the Brasco operation was made weeks earlier at an FBI meeting with Pistone present. When he left the operation,he did it in a very low-key manner.
Here one day,gone the next.
And the one that bothers me the most is when Agent Pistone is given a medal and a $500.00 check by the FBI director.
The movie shows the Director posing for a photo,handing Pistone the medal,shaking his hand ,and heading for the door,while Pistone is shown staring at the check while his wife has a look of total disappointment on her face. In reality,Pistone said that apart from testifying in his first Mafia trial,that was the most satisfying moment in his professional career.
It ain't never gonna change but ranting and raving about it sure as hell makes me feel better.

The Outfit had a huge influence over there like most of the mid west lol

Yes, that's for sure Hollander. I'd say from the midwest right through to the west coast. Although there were families sprinkled in-between that were "repped" by various NYC borgatas as well, like Cerrito in CA who looked to the Profaci/Colombo Family for support, and the San Jose and Colorado families who had Joe Bonanno, etc. So it was somewhat of a crapshoot (depending upon the personal relationships between family leaders).

What’s the straight dope: was Milwaukee ever considered for the Commission?

What is left of the Balistrieri/Milwaukee Family today? How much action do they have going on if any? Is "Johnny Bal" Balistrieri still alive?

Not per se. The boss of the Milwaukee Family never "sat" on The Commission in NYC. Milwaukee was always represented by the Chicago Family.

But by virtue of the fact that ALL family bosses are automatically members of the Commission by proxy, in that sense, yes (of course), Milwaukee's boss just like all bosses across the country are "members" of The Commission although not all sat regularly at meetings.

If there is anything left of the Milwaukee Outfit they're hanging on by a wing and a prayer at this point. Not unlike most families throughout the country with the exception of the Northeastern corridor.

Didn't they have a couple of the first meetings in Rockford, Illinois with a guy who came up from Chicago?

Been years since I read that book.